Oral QuestionHouse of Commons Commission

To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment the Commission has made of the potential merits of prioritising schools who are furthest from Westminster for education visits to Parliament.

Tabled: 12 February 2026Answered: 26 February 2026

Asked by

Jayne Kirkham

Labour (Co-op)Truro and Falmouth

Answering Minister

the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission

Answer from Hansard

Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney)

Given my hon. Friend’s journey time from Cornwall, I can understand why she asks that question. The Commission recently endorsed recommendations from our participation team to improve the school visit booking process and the use of our travel subsidy. Schools from her area will have extra time to apply. We want to encourage greater participation from schools furthest away from Westminster by increasing capacity through our education service.