News Release

26th January 2004

SHOULD SMOKING BE BANNED IN PUBLIC PLACES?

'Should smoking be banned in public places?' is the subject of this year's Schools Parliamentary Speaking Competition which will be held at the Guildhall, Lichfield at 7pm on Friday 6th February. Members of the public - as well as friends and relatives of the debaters - are welcome to attend.

Four schools from Lichfield and Burntwood will be participating (King Edward VI, The Friary, Chase Terrace Technology College, and Chasetown High School) with three speakers in each school team. The procedure will be on the lines of a House of Commons debate with questions and 'Mr Speaker' will be The Right Honourable Eric Forth MP, the former Shadow Leader of the House of Commons and Minister for Schools. Judges will include Mr Speaker (Eric Forth), the Mayor of Lichfield (Cllr Barry White), the Deputy Mayor of Lichfield (Cllr Mrs Gwyneth Boyle), the President of the Rotary Club of Lichfield St Chad (Tim Wadsworth) and the Chairman of Arthur Price of England, John Price OBE. The debate will commence with the colourful Speaker's Procession with the gold mace (as in the House of Commons).