Oral Answers to Questions

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Excerpts

Monday 25th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Nadhim Zahawi]

The hon. Lady rightly speaks about the important research by the NDNA. Our own research demonstrates that 80% of providers are willing and able to offer places, and one third have actually increased their places.

[Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) (Lab)]

6. Whether he plans to include mandatory teaching on cold water shock as part of compulsory swimming and water lessons.

[Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Washington and Sunderland West) (Lab)]

14. Whether he plans to include mandatory teaching on cold water shock as part of compulsory swimming and water lessons.

[Mr Dhesi]

No doubt the Minister agrees with the Prime Minister, who told the House last week, when I raised with her the case of Michael Scaife, who tragically drowned in Slough, that she recognises there is more to do on water safety education. The curriculum swimming and water safety recommendations were made nearly a year ago. On this, the last day of the Royal Life Saving Society’s annual Drowning Prevention Week, will the Minister agree to prioritise the implementation of those recommendations?

[Nick Gibb]

We were all very sorry to hear about the tragic death of Michael Scaife, who drowned while trying to save a friend. The Government take swimming and water safety very seriously, which is why we improved the national curriculum and why we support the National Water Safety Forum’s national drowning prevention strategy. The group the hon. Gentleman refers to published its report in July 2016. We then established an implementation group and the Government are currently reviewing the recommendations that came out of that report.