§ Baroness Blatchasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many meetings on sex education were held between Ministers and the Bishop of Blackburn; when did they take place; who was present at each meeting; and which of those present were acting as individuals and which were acting on behalf of particular bodies or organisations. [HL1832]
§ Baroness BlackstoneMinisters from the Department for Education and Employment met with the Bishop of Blackburn and other representatives of the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham and representatives of the Catholic Education Service on a number of occasions before the Government issued the draft sex and relationship education guidance and tabled an amendment to the Learning and Skills Bill on 16 March.
My right honourable friend the Secretary of State, Ministers and officials from the Department for Education and Employment also met representatives of the Free Churches and representatives from all 17WA major faith groups to discuss the sex and relationship guidance which is still out for official consultation until April 20.
The Bishop of Blackburn acted in his capacity as Chair of the Church of England Board of Education.