Does my right hon. Friend agree that the measures that he was describing before he started taking interventions are vital for improving skills levels in such towns as Swindon, which have really benefited from the economic boom during the past 10 years of Labour Governments? However, there is still a...

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the measures that he was describing before he started taking interventions are vital for improving skills levels in such towns as Swindon, which have really benefited from the economic boom during the past 10 years of Labour Governments? However, there is still a...

This is an excellent plan. I particularly welcome the youth service proposals and the adventure playgrounds. Will my right hon. Friend say something about the eight-to- 13 age group, who are often neglected in this respect? What will be in it for them?

This is an excellent plan. I particularly welcome the youth service proposals and the adventure playgrounds. Will my right hon. Friend say something about the eight-to- 13 age group, who are often neglected in this respect? What will be in it for them?

Does the hon. Gentleman consider that the schools in the Reading authority—Kendrick, St. John’s, Caversham, All Saints and Churchend— that received outstanding Ofsted reports in the 2005-06 school year are bog standard? I do not think so. His LEA has worked very hard to improve all those schools in order...

Does the hon. Gentleman consider that the schools in the Reading authority—Kendrick, St. John’s, Caversham, All Saints and Churchend— that received outstanding Ofsted reports in the 2005-06 school year are bog standard? I do not think so. His LEA has worked very hard to improve all those schools in order...

On diverse views, the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Mr. Leigh) tabled interesting and informative amendments in Committee, most of which we were happy to vote down and some of which were withdrawn. Those amendments showed that Conservative Members, or at least a considerable number of them, look forward to the...

On diverse views, the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Mr. Leigh) tabled interesting and informative amendments in Committee, most of which we were happy to vote down and some of which were withdrawn. Those amendments showed that Conservative Members, or at least a considerable number of them, look forward to the...

Is this not one of the issues that put clear red water between us and the Opposition? We have examined the strategic role of local education authorities, and have strengthened it. We are bringing trust schools into the family of schools within LEAs. Grant-maintained schools removed money and set school...

Is this not one of the issues that put clear red water between us and the Opposition? We have examined the strategic role of local education authorities, and have strengthened it. We are bringing trust schools into the family of schools within LEAs. Grant-maintained schools removed money and set school...

Does my right hon. Friend agree that our right hon. Friend the Member for Redditch (Jacqui Smith) was extremely generous when she considered the criteria in Committee and examined the number of local authorities that would be able to enter schools for competitions? Will the Secretary of State also confirm...

Does my right hon. Friend agree that our right hon. Friend the Member for Redditch (Jacqui Smith) was extremely generous when she considered the criteria in Committee and examined the number of local authorities that would be able to enter schools for competitions? Will the Secretary of State also confirm...

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?