Speaker Bercow visits Youth Parliament in Belfast
30 July 2010 (updated on 30 July 2010)
The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, joined 350 members of the Youth Parliament for their annual sitting in Northern Ireland at the weekend.
The four day summit, which was held in partnership with the Northern Ireland Youth Forum, included debates on the environment, health, crime and education.
The Speaker gave the keynote speech to the gathered 11-18 years on Saturday. It is the second time he has addressed Youth Parliament delegates as he also spoke at its annual sitting in 2009.
During his address, at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown Campus, on Saturday 24 July, the Speaker confirmed that the date for the Youth Parliament debate in the House of Commons would be 29 October 2010.
The announcement follows the decision by the House on 21 July 2010 to allow the UK Youth Parliament to meet once a year in the Commons chamber for the duration of this Parliament.
This will be the second time that the UK Youth Parliament has held a debate in the House of Commons chamber after the House agreed they could meet for the first time in 2009.
The Speaker later also visited Northern Ireland Community and Voluntary Action (NICVA), in Belfast where he met a number of voluntary and community workers.
Commenting on the visit, the Speaker said:
"I was overwhelmed by the fantastic response I received in Northern Ireland. The enthusiasm of the Youth Parliament delegates and their desire to take an active part in politics is an inspiration.
"I was very impressed with the level of debate I heard in Northern Ireland and I am delighted that we will be able to welcome the Youth Parliament delegates to the House for a second time to go even further in helping to engage young people with politics."