Dear Caroline Spelman,
I am writing to thank you for voting 'no' to the government amendment
to the Children, Schools and Families Bill. Although the amendment
passed, you and many other members showed that you believe children
have the right to receive education about sex and sexual health in an
objective and balanced manner.
The behaviour of the government in capitulating to a Roman Catholic
pressure group shows they put religious interests before the interests
of children. Seeing as we have one of the highest teenage pregnancy
rates in Europe, as well as the real risk of HIV and other STIs, I
believe more frank and honest education about sex is needed, not less,
and I fear that religious interference could mean some schools resort
to an abstinence-based policy, rather than an honest and
biologically-based approach to the subject.
Although we failed in blocking this amendment, there is a chance we can
succeed in another area. You may have heard of the report of the Select
Committee on Science and Technology regarding the NHS funding of
homeopathy. They reached a science-based decision in recommending the
government should stop this state funding immediately. You can find the
report here if you have not already seen it:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... /45/45.pdf
I wish to tell you that I strongly agree with the Committee's findings,
and seeing as your party now claims to be the party of the NHS, I hope
you will too. The millions of pounds wasted on an unfounded,
faith-based system of medicine would be better spent on nurses and
cleaning staff in many of our country's hospitals.
Lastly, I would also like to thank you for your correspondence with me
regarding Royal Succession. I appreciated the time you took to write to
me about a subject which doesn't hold much significance compared to
other issues of the day. I am very grateful.
Yours sincerely,
Matthew Hone
.
