§ 6. Mrs. Janet Dean (Burton)Which parts of the country will be involved in the children's parliament. [58609]
§ The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Mr. John Prescott)The children's parliament on the environment is open to all schools in England with year 6 pupils, building on the interest that young people have in their environment and giving them the opportunity to develop an understanding of the democratic process. I am pleased to announced that more than 2,000 schools have so far registered to participate.
§ Mrs. DeanGiven that climate change is likely to be one of the topics discussed at the children's parliament, will my right hon. Friend tell the House whether he is satisfied with the outcome of the Buenos Aires conference?
§ Mr. PrescottI was pleased with the Buenos Aires conference, which followed a successful Kyoto conference at which legal targets for gas emissions were agreed. The Buenos Aires conference maintained that momentum and agreed a two-year action programme to ensure that climate change policy can be put into practice, and it sends the signal that Governments are serious about the urgent need to tackle the threat of global warming.
§ Mr. Andrew Rowe (Faversham and Mid-Kent)As I chair a steering group that hopes to establish a UK youth parliament in 2000, may I ask what is the budget for the children's parliament?
§ Mr. PrescottIt is estimated at approximately £300,000.