Education Maintenance Allowance

John Bercow Excerpts

Wednesday 19th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I inform the House that I have selected the amendment in the name of the Prime Minister.

--- Later in debate ---

[Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con)]

The right hon. Gentleman says that there are 650,000 or so EMA claimants, but he must also know that only about 12% of those people—66,000—say that they would not go into A-level education if they did not have it. EMA costs £564 million. Does he not think there are better and less expensive ways of targeting money on the kids who really need the help? [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Members are in a very excitable state today. I know that the matter arouses great passions, but we must have some semblance of decorum in the debate. I also remind colleagues that interventions should be brief.

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. A number of Members are still seeking to catch my eye, but there are fewer than six minutes to go.

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am sorry not to be able to call any more Back Benchers, but we must move on to the winding-up speeches.