Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Stephen Hesford (Labour). It was answered on Thursday, 27 October 2005 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

““Youth Matters””

Question: I am obliged to my right hon. Friend for that answer. I welcome the Green Paper ““Youth Matters””, but more importantly students in my constituency welcome it. As she may know, I have carried out a consultation in four schools in my constituency, three of which I have visited and one of which has made a written submission. In light of the enthusiasm that they have shown for the questions posed by this enlightened Green Paper, will she assure me that the avalanche of responses that she will have from my students will be fully taken into account?

Answer: Indeed I can. I thank my hon. Friend and colleagues throughout the House who did a great deal during the summer months to talk to young people and to give them the young people's version of the questionnaire, which I am sure has made a big difference to the number of responses. We have had about 3,000 responses so far from young people alone, and I expect that to double by the end of the consultation. Young people are broadly very positive about the proposals in the Green Paper and we shall certainly take their views into account when we give our response.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 438 c435
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Advisory services Leisure Education Public participation Young people Voluntary work
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk