John Bercow calls for a Parliamentary debate on the plight of the 6,000 children who exclude themselves from school as a result of extreme bullying and commends the work of the Red Balloon learner centres.

John Bercow (Buckingham) (Con): I echo the request made by the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) about Sudan, and in particular Darfur.

May we have a debate or at any rate a statement in Government time on the Floor of the House on the plight of the 6,000 children who exclude themselves from school as a result of extreme bullying, 50 per cent. of whom have contemplated or sought to commit suicide in consequence? Is the Leader of the House aware of the Red Balloon learner centres, of which there are currently three, in Cambridge, Norwich and north-west London? They have a fantastic track record in rebuilding the self-esteem of those damaged children and enabling them to return to school, to go on to college or university, or to obtain employment. Those centres have great difficulty in accessing public funding. There are plans for another five such centres, but we need the tap of public funding to be turned on. They are a very vulnerable group of children to whom we owe a particular duty of care.

Ms Harman: The hon. Gentleman will know, because he is closely involved in and works continually on these issues, that the Department for Children, Schools and Families has been developing and implementing an anti-bullying strategy. Bullying at school can blight a child’s whole life, and I suggest that he tries to raise the issue at DCSF questions on Monday.

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