PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION

That this House notes that the United Kingdom has the highest levels of teenage pregnancy in Western Europe; acknowledges that for every 1,000 births between 2000 and 2005, 27 were to those under the age of 19 years, while the figure in France was just eight; further acknowledges that among 16 to 19-year-olds diagnoses of herpes rose by 13 per cent. and those of genital warts increased by six per cent. between 2005 and 2006; further notes that of more than 20,000 teenagers questioned about sex education, more than half rated the teaching in school as poor, very poor or merely average and only a quarter said it was good; joins the United Kingdom Youth Parliament in calling for sex and relationship courses to be made a statutory part of personal, social and health education; and calls for trained staff to delivery such courses.