PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
Business of the House (Today) - 30 December 2020 (Commons/Commons Chamber)

We will now have a brief suspension to allow for the safe exit and entry of hon. and right hon. Members.

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Just a short while ago the Secretary of State for Education told the House that “the overwhelming majority” of primary schools would be open on Monday 4 January, but moments later snuck out a statement which makes it clear that huge numbers of pupils across the country—half a million in London alone—will not be at primary school on Monday. I am sure that it was not his intention to mislead the House, but, I believe that inadvertently, that may have happened. I ask that the Education Secretary return to the House to apologise to parents, teachers and school staff across the country, because his statement has added confusion and chaos to weeks of just that.

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his point of order. It is not really a matter for the Chair, but Members on the Treasury Bench will have heard his points, and if the Secretary of State wishes to offer any further clarification, I am sure that he will do so.