Mr. ÕpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will meet representatives of the UK Youth Parliament to discuss its Youth Manifesto; and if he will make a statement; [153150]
(2) what assessment his Department has made of the proceedings of the UK Youth Parliament held in London on 25 February; and if he will make a statement; [153151]
(3) how he plans to develop the relationship between the Home Office and the UK Youth Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [153152]
§ Mr. WicksI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid-Kent (Mr. Rowe) on 14 March 2001,Official Report, column 614W. I was pleased to attend the first sitting of the UK Youth Parliament; however, no formal assessment of the first sitting has been made by my Department in advance of the publication of the UKYP Youth Manifesto. Relationships between the Home Office and the UK Youth Parliament are properly the business of the Home Office and I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid-Kent by the Minister of State, Home Office with responsibilities for young people, my right hon. Friend the Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng) on 15 March 2001, Official Report, column 692W.