Jubilee Debt Campaign

John Battle MP joined Leeds MP's Colin Burgon and Colin Challen and Harrogate's Phil Willis in signing the Jubilee Debt Campaign's petition to the Queen for more debt cancellation for the world's poorest countries. "Britain has taken an international lead to be proud of in cancelling 'third world' debt," said John, "and it's made a difference, but there's still a long way to go. Tanzania has had part of their debt cancelled, and this year were able to use that money to abolish primary school fees so that all children can go to school and learn to read and write - but they won't have the money to train more teachers or build more classrooms until next year. There's more to be done, and a petition to the Queen in her golden jubilee year is a good way to make the point."

"It seems appropriate to be saying this in Leeds University in front of Eric Gill's magnificent sculpture of Christ throwing the money changers out of the temple," he added.