Business of the House

Paul Davies Excerpts

Thursday 31st October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

International Men’s Day is an important opportunity for us all to celebrate the contribution men make to our society. It might not be quite as much as the contribution of women—no, I am joking. Men make a very important contribution, and, as my hon. Friend says, the day highlights mental health issues. Suicide is still the biggest killer of men in this country, and we should all be very conscious of that. International Men’s Day would make an excellent subject for a Backbench Business debate—the Chair of the Backbench Business Committee and I were discussing such debates only yesterday—so I encourage my hon. Friend to make an application to the Committee.

[Paul Davies (Colne Valley) (Lab)]

This week, I had the pleasure of receiving a letter from Sycamore class of Slaithwaite Church of England junior and infant school. Inspired by Marcus Sedgwick’s novel “Floodland”, the students expressed their concerns about climate change with remarkable insight and passion. The children’s genuine concern and thoughtful suggestions highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change. It was inspiring to see young minds so engaged and determined to make a difference. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating the students of Slaithwaite Church of England junior and infant school on their excellent work? Will she encourage schools across the country to educate pupils about climate change and the actions needed to address it?