Sex education questions - House of Commons 13/12/06

Patrick McFadden (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office) made some sensible comments, including:

"Good quality PSHE can make an important contribution to young people's emotional development. Young people value sex education that is set in the context of discussions about relationships and the responsibilities involved, and that is what the Government aim to provide....."

"....... education should prepare young people for life, and that the emotional aspects of sex education are important. In addition to providing PSHE, we are putting an emphasis on sex and relationship education. A programme on the social and emotional aspects of learning, known as the SEAL programme, is already in place in one third of schools, and another third is expected to introduce it by mid-2007. All that is part of the effort to increase confidence and maturity, and to help to prepare young people for coping with making important decisions later in life......"

"It is absolutely right to say that parental involvement and a parental role is important. It is important, both for parents and schools, that we have a full and frank discussion about the issues. We should discuss them openly and not try to sweep them under the carpet........"

So what is the real difficulty HMG has in inviting prospective parents to discuss marriage and relationships education and in promoting educational programmes through Register Offices and other venues?