‘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).

The four schools will be competing for school and individual silver cups for
the Michael Fabricant and Arthur Price of England Public Speaking Awards.
The cups have been generously donated by Arthur Price of England.