I am grateful to Mr. Speaker for the opportunity to have this debate on what may seem a small and somewhat arcane issue of fitting seat belts to heavy goods vehicles. However, on occasion small issues have large consequences and, in this case, it can be a matter of life...

I am grateful to Mr. Speaker for the opportunity to have this debate on what may seem a small and somewhat arcane issue of fitting seat belts to heavy goods vehicles. However, on occasion small issues have large consequences and, in this case, it can be a matter of life...

On that point, I fully understand and welcome the fact that the various associations are campaigning and giving a profile to the issue, so as to encourage more truck drivers to wear belts when they are fitted. I want to ask the Minister two simple and specific things. First, alongside...

On that point, I fully understand and welcome the fact that the various associations are campaigning and giving a profile to the issue, so as to encourage more truck drivers to wear belts when they are fitted. I want to ask the Minister two simple and specific things. First, alongside...

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on seat belts in heavy goods vehicles.

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on seat belts in heavy goods vehicles.

The hon. Gentleman raises a very important point, but what is his view on the solution that the panel received in evidence? There has been a huge growth in the number of apprenticeships, and we can argue about whether that is right or wrong, but opening up such opportunities to...

The hon. Gentleman raises a very important point, but what is his view on the solution that the panel received in evidence? There has been a huge growth in the number of apprenticeships, and we can argue about whether that is right or wrong, but opening up such opportunities to...

It is important in these debates to ensure that the emphasis is on all groups and not just on some. However, we also have to recognise that different people from different backgrounds have different starting points in life. There is no equality of life chances at the beginning of life,...

It is important in these debates to ensure that the emphasis is on all groups and not just on some. However, we also have to recognise that different people from different backgrounds have different starting points in life. There is no equality of life chances at the beginning of life,...

Oh happy days! Yes, I do, and I also well remember my hon. Friend's championing of Peninsula's cause. She knows that Sir John Tooke, who does a fantastic job at Peninsula, is one of the panel members. It is not only one of the most progressive but one of the...

Oh happy days! Yes, I do, and I also well remember my hon. Friend's championing of Peninsula's cause. She knows that Sir John Tooke, who does a fantastic job at Peninsula, is one of the panel members. It is not only one of the most progressive but one of the...

When I compare my kids' experiences and life chances with those of my childhood, it shows that we are living in a different world. It is amazing, and something to cherish about modern society that, by and large, there are fantastic opportunities for more and more people. We live in...

When I compare my kids' experiences and life chances with those of my childhood, it shows that we are living in a different world. It is amazing, and something to cherish about modern society that, by and large, there are fantastic opportunities for more and more people. We live in...

The hon. Gentleman is on to a very important point. One thing that I am absolutely convinced about, not just from anecdotal evidence but from academic evidence, is that the problem is not that young people do not have aspirations, it is that they are blocked in fulfilling them. It...

The hon. Gentleman is on to a very important point. One thing that I am absolutely convinced about, not just from anecdotal evidence but from academic evidence, is that the problem is not that young people do not have aspirations, it is that they are blocked in fulfilling them. It...

It is always a great pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts). At some points in his speech, his insight and knowledge were in danger of creating a progressive consensus in the House; then, however, he lapsed into criticism rather deeper than I would have expected from...

It is always a great pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts). At some points in his speech, his insight and knowledge were in danger of creating a progressive consensus in the House; then, however, he lapsed into criticism rather deeper than I would have expected from...

That is a slightly more contentious point. Is it time for my hon. Friend to leave? We know that when universities broaden their base for recruitment, it does not lower levels of achievement. Figures from the Higher Education Funding Council show that students from state schools, once they get into...

That is a slightly more contentious point. Is it time for my hon. Friend to leave? We know that when universities broaden their base for recruitment, it does not lower levels of achievement. Figures from the Higher Education Funding Council show that students from state schools, once they get into...

Yes, I have a feeling it will be coming my hon. Friend's way. I guess that we knew that, although it is just a guess. That is the point, I suppose. I guess that we had a hunch about it, and we have some rudimentary data, but they are pretty...

Yes, I have a feeling it will be coming my hon. Friend's way. I guess that we knew that, although it is just a guess. That is the point, I suppose. I guess that we had a hunch about it, and we have some rudimentary data, but they are pretty...

I am grateful not to be told what to do by my hon. Friend. If it helps the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) and the House, I can say that the intention is to publish our report in mid-July. It is for the Government to decide whether they want...

I am grateful not to be told what to do by my hon. Friend. If it helps the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) and the House, I can say that the intention is to publish our report in mid-July. It is for the Government to decide whether they want...

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many houses have been insulated in (a) each region of England and (b) Darlington under Government schemes in each of the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many houses have been insulated in (a) each region of England and (b) Darlington under Government schemes in each of the last five years.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate he has made of the number of people in Darlington constituency whose income rose following the introduction of the national minimum wage.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate he has made of the number of people in Darlington constituency whose income rose following the introduction of the national minimum wage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils in (i) each region of England and (ii) Darlington are on gifted and talented programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils in (i) each region of England and (ii) Darlington are on gifted and talented programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his most recent estimate is of the number of households in (a) Darlington constituency, (b) County Durham and (c) England in which more than one individual receives the winter fuel allowance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his most recent estimate is of the number of households in (a) Darlington constituency, (b) County Durham and (c) England in which more than one individual receives the winter fuel allowance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many new (a) apprenticeships and (b) training places are planned to be made available for people in Darlington constituency in the next 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many new (a) apprenticeships and (b) training places are planned to be made available for people in Darlington constituency in the next 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many people living in Darlington constituency have participated in the Train to Gain programme in each of the last three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many people living in Darlington constituency have participated in the Train to Gain programme in each of the last three years.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the average number of job vacancies was in (a) Darlington constituency, (b) County Durham and (c) England in each of the last three years.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the average number of job vacancies was in (a) Darlington constituency, (b) County Durham and (c) England in each of the last three years.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what average payment has been made by parents into Child Trust Fund accounts in (a) Darlington constituency, (b) County Durham, (c) the North East and (d) England in each year since the scheme's inception.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what average payment has been made by parents into Child Trust Fund accounts in (a) Darlington constituency, (b) County Durham, (c) the North East and (d) England in each year since the scheme's inception.