News Release

1st February 2000

Lichfield's "Parliamentary Schools Speaking Competition"

"That this House believes that if a choice has to be made, young people should take priority over old people in receiving specialist health treatment from the NHS" is the controversial subject for this year's Parliamentary-style debate in Lichfield's Guildhall on Friday 7th April at 7.30pm. As in previous years, teams from local schools will be participating for the Michael Fabricant MP and Arthur Price of England Speaking Competition Cup. It will be run on strict Parliamentary lines including the 'Speaker's Procession' prior to beginning the debate. (The only difference is that there is more gold in the two Lichfield Maces than the gilt one used in the House of Commons!) The "Speaker" will be Nicholas Winterton MP who is a senior Committee Chairman of the House of Commons and Deputy Speaker of the Commons Westminster Hall Chamber.

This colourful and interesting debate will be open to the public and the schools participating will be Nether Stowe, Chasetown, Chase Terrace, The Friary, and King Edward VI. Each school will put up a team of 3 speakers and the judges will be John Price OBE, The Sheriff of Lichfield John Haggett, The Mayor John Mercer, and Rotary Club President (Lichfield St Chad's) Paul Cooper.