Mark debates issues of the day with local young people

12.32.38pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 7th Mar 2006

Cheadle Hulme School

Mark Hunter met 21 pupils from Cheadle Hulme School yesterday (6th March) as they travelled to the Houses of Parliament to visit their local MP and tour the Houses of Parliament. The event was arranged following Mark's previous visit to the school in January.

After a tour of the Palace of Westminster the visitors were joined by Cheadle MP Mark Hunter and former Cheadle Hulme School pupil, Lord Dubs. Both parliamentarians then took part in a question and answer session with the delegation during which there was lively discussion on a wide variety of topical issues.

After the meeting Mark said, "Young people are often criticised for not taking an interest in the world around them. Speaking to students at Cheadle Hulme School yesterday, though, demonstrated just how unfair that criticism really is."

"The question and answer session threw up a variety of subjects like voting age, House of Lords reform and the work of an MP generally and it was clear that the group held well thought-out positions on the issues of the day."

"Whenever I met local pupils, I am always impressed by their levels of knowledge and interest on a broad range of issues. We shouldn't forget the fact that the vast majority of young people are high achieving, responsible members of our community."