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Mr. Andrew Turner: The Government have been in power for eight years. How long does it take to train an NHS dentist?

Ruth Kelly: If the hon. Gentleman had done his research before coming to the House, he would know that it takes eight years to train an NHS dentist, and it is this Government who are employing 1,000 more NHS dentists this year. That will have an impact over the coming years.

I will continue to listen to teachers and parents as we deliver our manifesto commitments in the Gracious Speech to extend opportunities for all children to succeed on the basis of their hard work and merit, not on the basis of their privilege or social class. Our 10-year child care strategy, published last December, set out our plans to ensure that every child gets the best possible start in life. By 2010 there will be 3,500 children's centres, one in every community, so that every family with young children has easy access to high-quality integrated services. Every child will be able to benefit from activities taking place before and after school, as schools open up their facilities for use by the community—pupils and parents.

We will continue our efforts to raise standards in primary and secondary schools, working with teachers to provide tailored support for children, with catch-up for those who struggle in the basics and challenge for the more able. We will raise the bar in schools, recognising that all young people should achieve GCSE standard in English and maths by the time they leave. For the first time, as a result of our policies, our young people will have access to high-quality, high-status vocational education. We will introduce four specialised diplomas by 2008 and seven by 2010, leading in time to a full entitlement of 14 in each locality. We want far more of our young people to be staying on in education or training or entering an apprenticeship—far more than we have at the moment.

On this side of the House, we have always been clear about one thing: we want parents to choose schools, not schools to choose parents. That is why we have continued to invest in our state schools. We want to improve quality and choice in the provision of schooling and build on the progress already made to improve educational standards for all, including—

David Maclean (Penrith and The Border) (Con) rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put.

Question, That the Question be now put, put and agreed to.

Question put accordingly, That the amendment be made:—
 
24 May 2005 : Column 665
 

The House divided: Ayes 241, Noes 336.

Division No. 1 [9.59pm


AYES

Afriyie, Adam
Ainsworth, Peter (East Surrey)
Alexander, Danny (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey)
Amess, David
Ancram, rh Michael
Arbuthnot, rh James
Atkinson, Peter
Bacon, Richard
Baker, Norman
Baldry, Tony
Barker, Gregory
Baron, John
Barrett, John (Billericay)
Beith, rh Alan
Benyon, Richard (Newbury)
Bercow, John
Beresford, Sir Paul
Binley, Brian
Bone, Peter
Boswell, Tim
Bottomley, Peter
Brake, Tom
Brazier, Julian
Breed, Colin
Brokenshire, James
Brooke, Annette
Browne, Jeremy (Taunton)
Browning, Mrs. Angela
Burns, Simon
Burrowes, David
Burstow, Paul
Burt, Alistair (North-East Bedfordshire)
Burt, Lorely (Solihull)
Butterfill, Sir John
Cable, Dr. Vincent
Cameron, David
Campbell, Gregory (Londonderry)
Campbell, rh Sir Menzies (North-East Fife)
Carmichael, Alistair
Carswell, Douglas
Cash, William
Chope, Christopher
Clappison, James
Clark, Greg (Tunbridge Wells)
Clarke, rh Kenneth (Rushcliffe)
Clegg, Nick
Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey
Conway, Derek
Cox, Geoffrey
Crabb, Stephen
Curry, rh David
Davey, Edward
Davies, Quentin (Grantham and Stamford)
Davies, David T. C. (Monmouth)
Davis, rh David (Haltemprice and Howden)
Djanogly, Jonathan
Dodds, Nigel
Donaldson, Jeffrey M.
Dorrell, rh Stephen
Dorries, Mrs. Nadine
Duddridge, James
Duncan, Alan (Rutland and Melton)
Duncan Smith, rh Iain
Dunne, Philip
Ellwood, Tobias
Evans, Nigel
Evennett, David
Fabricant, Michael
Fallon, Michael (Sevenoaks)
Farron, Tim (Westmorland and Lonsdale)
Featherstone, Lynne
Field, Mark (Cities of London and Westminster)
Forth, rh Eric
Foster, Don (Bath)
Fox, Dr. Liam
Francois, Mark
Fraser, Christopher
Gale, Roger
Garnier, Edward
Gauke, David
George, Andrew (St. Ives)
Gibb, Nick
Gidley, Sandra
Goldsworthy, Julia
Goodman, Paul (Wycombe)
Goodwill, Robert
Gove, Michael
Grayling, Chris
Green, Damian
Greenway, John
Grieve, Dominic
Gummer, rh John
Hague, rh William
Hammond, Philip (Runnymede & Weybridge)
Hammond, Stephen (Wimbledon)
Hancock, Mike
Hands, Greg
Harper, Mark
Harris, Dr. Evan (Oxford, W & Abingdon)
Harvey, Nick
Hayes, John
Heald, Oliver
Heath, David
Heathcoat-Amory, rh David
Hendry, Charles
Herbert, Nick
Hoban, Mark
Hogg, rh Douglas
Hollobone, Philip
Holloway, Adam
Holmes, Paul
Horam, John
Horwood, Martin
Howard, rh Michael
Howarth, Gerald (Aldershot)
Howarth, David (Cambridge)
Hughes, Simon (N Southwark & Bermondsey)
Huhne, Chris
Hunt, Jeremy
Hurd, Nick
Jack, rh Michael
Jackson, Stewart (Peterborough)
Johnson, Boris (Henley)
Jones, David (Clwyd, W)
Kawczynski, Daniel
Key, Robert
Kirkbride, Julie
Knight, rh Greg (E Yorks)
Kramer, Susan
Lait, Mrs. Jacqui
Lamb, Norman
Lancaster, John
Lansley, Andrew
Laws, David (Yeovil)
Leech, John
Leigh, Edward
Letwin, rh Oliver
Lewis, Dr. Julian (New Forest, E)
Liddell-Grainger, Ian
Lidington, David
Lilley, rh Peter
Loughton, Tim
Luff, Peter
Mackay, rh Andrew
Maclean, rh David
Main, Anne
Maples, John
Mates, rh Michael
May, rh Mrs. Theresa
McIntosh, Miss Anne
McLoughlin, Patrick
Mercer, Patrick
Miller, Maria (Basingstoke)
Milton, Anne
Mitchell, Andrew (Sutton Coldfield)
Moore, Michael
Moss, Malcolm
Mundell, David
Murrison, Dr. Andrew
Newmark, Brooks
O'Brien, Stephen (Eddisbury)
Öpik, Lembit
Osborne, George (Tatton)
Ottaway, Richard
Paice, James
Paterson, Owen
Pelling, Andrew
Penning, Mike
Penrose, John
Pickles, Eric
Prisk, Mark
Pritchard, Mark
Pugh, Dr. John
Randall, John
Redwood, rh John
Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm
Robathan, Andrew
Robertson, Hugh (Faversham & Mid-Kent)
Robertson, Laurence (Tewkesbury)
Robinson, Peter (Belfast, E)
Robinson, Mrs. Iris (Strangford)
Rogerson, Dan
Rosindell, Andrew
Rowen, Paul
Ruffley, David
Russell, Bob (Colchester)
Sanders, Adrian
Scott, Lee
Selous, Andrew
Shapps, Grant
Shepherd, Richard
Simmonds, Mark
Simpson, Keith (Mid-Norfolk)
Simpson, David (Upper Bann)
Smith, Sir Robert (W Aberdeen & K)
Spelman, Mrs. Caroline
Spicer, Sir Michael
Spink, Bob
Spring, Richard
Stanley, rh Sir John
Steen, Anthony
Streeter, Gary
Stuart, Graham (Manchester, Blackley)
Stunell, Andrew
Swayne, Desmond
Swinson, Jo
Swire, Hugo
Syms, Robert
Tapsell, Sir Peter
Taylor, Ian (Esher)
Taylor, Matthew (Truro)
Teather, Sarah
Thurso, John
Tredinnick, David
Turner, Andrew (Isle of Wight)
Tyrie, Andrew
Vaizey, Edward
Vara, Shailesh
Villiers, Mrs. Theresa
Walker, Charles
Wallace, Ben
Walter, Robert
Waterson, Nigel
Watkinson, Angela
Webb, Steve
Widdecombe, rh Miss Ann
Wiggin, Bill
Willetts, David
Williams, Roger (Brecon and Radnorshire)
Williams, Stephen (Bristol, W)
Williams, Mark (Ceredigion)
Willis, Phil
Willott, Jenny
Wilshire, David
Wilson, Sammy (East Antrim)
Wilson, Rob (Reading, E)
Winterton, Ann (Congleton)
Winterton, Sir Nicholas (Macclesfield)
Wright, Jeremy (Rugby & Kenilworth)
Young, rh George
Younger-Ross, Richard

Tellers for the Ayes:

Mr. Crispin Blunt and
Mr. Henry Bellingham


NOES

Abbott, Ms Diane
Ainger, Nick
Ainsworth, rh Bob (Coventry, N-E)
Alexander, rh Douglas (Paisley and Renfrewshire, S)
Allen, Graham
Anderson, David (Blaydon)
Anderson, Janet (Rossendale and Darwen)
Armstrong, rh Hilary
Atkins, Charlotte
Austin, Ian (Dudley, North)
Austin, John (Erith and Thamesmead)
Bailey, Adrian
Baird, Vera
Balls, Ed
Banks, Gordon
Barlow, Ms Celia
Barron, rh Kevin (Rother Valley)
Battle, rh John
Bayley, Hugh
Beckett, rh Margaret
Begg, Miss Anne
Bell, Sir Stuart
Benn, rh Hilary
Berry, Roger
Betts, Clive
Blackman, Liz
Blackman-Woods, Dr. Roberta
Blizzard, Bob
Blunkett, rh David
Borrow, David
Bradshaw, Ben
Brennan, Kevin
Brown, Russell
Brown, rh Nicholas (N'castle upon Tyne, E and Wallsend)
Brown, Lyn (West Ham)
Browne, rh Des (Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
Bryant, Chris
Burden, Richard
Burgon, Colin
Burnham, Andy
Butler, Ms Dawn
Byers, rh Stephen
Byrne, Liam
Caborn, rh Richard
Cairns, David
Campbell, Ronnie (Blyth Valley)
Campbell, Alan (Tynemouth)
Caton, Martin
Challen, Colin
Chapman, Ben
Chaytor, David
Clapham, Michael
Clark, Paul (Gillingham)
Clark, Katy (North Ayrshire and Arran)
Clarke, rh Tom (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)
Clarke, rh Charles (Norfolk, S)
Clelland, David
Clwyd, rh Ann
Coffey, Ms Ann
Cohen, Harry
Connarty, Michael
Cook, rh Robin (Livingston)
Cook, Frank (Stockton, N)
Cooper, Yvette (Pontefract and C)
Cooper, Rosie (W Lancashire)
Corbyn, Jeremy
Crausby, David
Creagh, Mary
Cruddas, Jon
Cryer, Ann
Cummings, John
Cunningham, Jim (C'try, S)
Cunningham, Tony (Workington)
Curtis-Thomas, Claire
Darling, Alistair
David, Wayne
Davidson, Ian
Dean, Mrs. Janet
Denham, rh John
Dhanda, Parmjit
Dismore, Andrew
Dobbin, Jim
Dobson, rh Frank
Donohoe, Brian H.
Doran, Frank
Dowd, Jim
Drew, David
Dunwoody, Mrs. Gwyneth
Eagle, Maria (Liverpool, Garston)
Eagle, Angela (Wallasey)
Efford, Clive
Ellman, Mrs. Louise
Engel, Natascha
Ennis, Jeff
Farrelly, Paul
Field, rh Frank (Birkenhead)
Fisher, Mark
Fitzpatrick, Jim
Flello, Robert
Flint, Caroline
Flynn, Paul
Follett, Barbara
Foster, Michael (Worcester)
Francis, Dr. Hywel
Gapes, Mike
Gardiner, Barry
George, rh Bruce (Walsall, S)
Gerrard, Neil
Gibson, Dr. Ian
Gilroy, Linda
Godsiff, Roger
Goggins, Paul
Goodman, Helen (Bishop Auckland)
Griffith, Nia (Llanelli)
Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh, S)
Grogan, John
Gwynne, Andrew
Hall, Patrick (Bedford)
Hall, Mike (Weaver Vale)
Hamilton, Fabian (Leeds, N-E)
Hamilton, David (Midlothian)
Hanson, David
Harman, rh Ms Harriet
Harris, Tom (Glasgow, S)
Havard, Dai
Healey, John
Henderson, Doug
Hendrick, Mark
Hepburn, Stephen
Heppell, John
Hesford, Stephen
Hewitt, rh Ms Patricia
Heyes, David
Hill, rh Keith
Hillier, Meg
Hodge, rh Margaret
Hodgson, Mrs. Sharon
Hoey, Kate
Hoon, rh Geoffrey
Hope, Phil
Hopkins, Kelvin
Hosie, Stewart
Howells, Dr. Kim
Hoyle, Lindsay
Hughes, rh Beverley (Stretford & Urmston)
Humble, Mrs. Joan
Hutton, rh John
Iddon, Dr. Brian
Illsley, Eric
Ingram, rh Adam
Irranca-Davies, Huw
James, Mrs. Sîan
Jenkins, Brian
Johnson, Ms Diana (Kingston upon Hull, N)
Johnson, rh Alan (Kingston upon Hull, W & H)
Jones, Dr. Lynne (B'ham, Selly Oak)
Jones, Martyn (Clwyd, S)
Jones, Kevan (North Durham)
Jones, Helen (Warrington, N)
Jowell, rh Tessa
Joyce, Eric
Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald
Keeble, Ms Sally
Keeley, Ms Barbara
Keen, Ann (Brentford & Isleworth)
Keen, Alan (Feltham & Heston)
Kelly, rh Ruth
Kemp, Fraser
Kennedy, rh Jane (Liverpool, Wavertree)
Khabra, Piara
Khan, Sadiq
Kidney, David
Kilfoyle, Peter
Knight, Jim (South Dorset)
Kumar, Dr. Ashok
Ladyman, Dr. Stephen
Lammy, David
Laxton, Bob
Lazarowicz, Mark
Lepper, David
Levitt, Tom
Lewis, Ivan (Bury, S)
Linton, Martin
Lloyd, Tony
Llwyd, Elfyn
Love, Andrew
Lucas, Ian
MacDougall, John
Mackinlay, Andrew
MacNeil, Angus
MacShane, Dr. Denis
Mactaggart, Fiona
Mahmood, Khalid
Malik, Shahid
Mallaber, Judy
Mann, John
Marris, Rob
Marsden, Gordon
Marshall-Andrews, Robert
Martlew, Eric
McAvoy, rh Thomas
McCabe, Steve
McCafferty, Chris
McCarthy, Ms Kerry
McCarthy-Fry, Sarah
McCartney, Ian
McDonagh, Siobhain
McDonnell, John (Hayes and Harlington)
McFadden, Pat
McFall, rh John
McGovern, Jim
McGuire, Mrs. Anne
McIsaac, Shona
McKechin, Ann
McKenna, Rosemary
McNulty, Tony
Meacher, rh Michael
Meale, Alan
Merron, Gillian
Michael, rh Alun
Miliband, Edward (Doncaster, N)
Miliband, rh David (South Shields)
Miller, Andrew (Ellesmere Port & Neston)
Mitchell, Austin (Great Grimsby)
Moffat, Anne (East Lothian)
Moffatt, Laura (Crawley)
Mole, Chris
Moon, Ms Madeleine
Moran, Margaret
Morden, Jessica
Morgan, Julie
Mountford, Kali
Mudie, George
Mullin, Chris
Munn, Ms Meg
Murphy, Jim (East Renfrewshire)
Murphy, rh Paul (Torfaen)
Murphy, Denis (Wansbeck)
Naysmith, Dr. Doug
Norris, Dan
O'Brien, Mike (North Warwickshire)
O'Hara, Edward
Olner, Bill
Osborne, Sandra (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock)
Owen, Albert
Palmer, Dr. Nick
Pearson, Ian
Plaskitt, James
Pope, Greg
Prentice, Bridget (Lewisham, E)
Prentice, Gordon (Pendle)
Price, Adam
Primarolo, rh Dawn
Prosser, Gwyn
Purchase, Ken
Purnell, James
Rammell, Bill
Raynsford, rh Nick
Reed, Jamie (Copeland)
Reed, Andy (Loughborough)
Reid, rh. John(Airdrie and Shotts)
Riordan, Mrs. Linda
Robertson, John (Glasgow, N-W)
Robertson, Angus (Moray)
Robinson, Geoffrey (Coventry, N-W)
Rooney, Terry
Roy, Frank
Ruane, Chris
Ruddock, Joan
Russell, Ms Christine (City of Chester)
Ryan, Joan
Salmond, Alex
Salter, Martin
Sarwar, Mohammad
Seabeck, Alison
Shaw, Jonathan
Sheerman, Barry
Sheridan, Jim
Simon, Siôn
Simpson, Alan (Nottingham, S)
Singh, Marsha
Skinner, Dennis
Slaughter, Andrew
Smith, Angela E (Basildon)
Smith, rh Andrew (Oxford, E)
Smith, rh Jacqui (Redditch)
Smith, Ms Angela C (Sheffield, Hillsborough)
Snelgrove, Anne
Soulsby, Sir Peter
Southworth, Helen
Spellar, rh John
Starkey, Dr. Phyllis
Stoate, Dr. Howard
Strang, rh Dr. Gavin
Stringer, Graham
Stuart, Ms Gisela
Tami, Mark
Taylor, David (N-W Leicestershire)
Taylor, Dari (Stockton, S)
Taylor, Dr. Richard (Wyre Forest)
Thomas, Gareth
Thornberry, Ms Emily
Timms, Stephen
Tipping, Paddy
Todd, Mark
Touhig, Don
Trickett, Jon
Truswell, Paul
Turner, Dr. Desmond (Brighton, Kemptown)
Turner, Neil (Wigan)
Twigg, Derek
Ussher, Kitty
Vaz, Keith
Vis, Dr. Rudi
Walley, Joan
Waltho, Lynda
Wareing, Robert
Watts, Dave
Weir, Mike
Whitehead, Dr. Alan
Williams, Hywel (Caernarfon)
Williams, Betty (Conwy)
Williams, rh Alan (Swansea, W)
Wills, Michael
Winnick, David
Winterton, Ms Rosie (Doncaster, Central)
Wishart, Pete
Wood, Mike
Woodward, Shaun
Woolas, Phil
Wright, Dr. Tony (Cannock Chase)
Wright, Anthony (Great Yarmouth)
Wright, Iain (Hartlepool)
Wright, David (Telford)
Wyatt, Derek

Tellers for the Noes:

Mr. Vernon Coaker and
Mr. Ian Cawsey


Question accordingly negatived.

 
24 May 2005 : Column 669
 

It being after Ten o'clock, the debate stood adjourned.

Debate to be resumed tomorrow.

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