Question to the Department for Education:

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of free drinking water in schools.

Legislation already states pupils must have access at all times to free, fresh drinking water. Schools are best placed to decide how to offer this. If water is not available parents should raise this through the school’s complaints policy. No teacher should be refusing a child water. If the hon. Member for Washington and Sunderland West is aware of any situation where this is taking place I would encourage her to write to the department.