§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Secretary of State for Education and Employment's offer to answer questions from members of the public in Bristol, published in the Bristol Evening Post of 8 September, has been made in other parts of the country; and, if so, where and when. [HL4078]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)A wide range of regional newspapers were invited to include this offer as part of the Parents and Schools Campaign and Parents On-line Week. The specific offer from my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, to answer questions from members of the public, was included in the following newspapers (in addition to theBristol Evening Post):
Manchester Evening News 16 August Newcastle Chronicle 22 August Sheffield Star 24 August My right honourable friend the Secretary of State also participated in two radio phone-ins where callers were able to question him on their concerns on education. On 30 August he took part in an extended phone-in on Your and Yours (Radio 4), and on 20 September he took calls for one hour on the Jimmy Young Show (Radio 2).
It is open to any member of the public, at any time, to write to the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to raise questions or concerns.