§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the nature was of the parliamentary business which occasioned the withdrawal of the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Croydon, North (Mr. Wicks), from leadership of the British delegation to the Commonwealth Education Ministers Conference in Halifax, Canada, in November 2000. [R] [144283]
§ Mr. Wicks[holding answer 8 January 2001]: Given the importance of the business before the House during the week of 27 November 2000, I felt that I should be present. This in no way reflects any weakening of our engagement with Commonwealth education initiatives, which is excellent. The UK fielded a strong delegation which, as previously agreed, was led by my hon. Friend the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs in the Scottish Parliament.