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House of Commons Commission
26 February 2026
Lead MP
Jayne Kirkham
Debate Type
General Debate
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Other Contributors: 2
At a Glance
Jayne Kirkham raised concerns about house of commons commission in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Commission should assess the potential merits of prioritising schools that are furthest from Westminster for education visits to Parliament, considering the long journey times which make these visits rare and often interfere with formal exams.
Nick Smith
Lab
Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
The Commission has endorsed recommendations from our participation team to improve the school visit booking process and use of travel subsidy. Schools from remote areas will have extra time to apply, with a new booking process launched in September ensuring regions are allocated fair visit opportunities. Band C schools—furthest from Westminster—will be weighted for summer-term access due to long distances.
Jayne Kirkham
Lab Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
Schools furthest from Westminster, such as those in Cornwall, take at least six hours to reach London. These journeys often involve taking multiple days in London and tend to occur during the summer term when they interfere less with formal exams. It is crucial that children from remote and deprived areas are helped to surmount barriers they face in getting here.
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About House of Commons Debates
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