A recent Department of Transport consultation on the location of London’s airports, which included a map showing the Isle of Wight just off Portland Bill, came in for mockery during Education Questions in the House of Commons during a discussion on the new Geography GCSE.
The Government’s geographical howler was highlighted by Island MP Andrew Turner, himself a former geography teacher, and Education Minister, Jim Knight MP, whose South Dorset constituency includes Portland admitted,
“I can say that while I can see the Isle of Wight from my constituency when I am in Swanage, it is a very clear day when I can see it from Portland. Perhaps I will refer my friends at the Department for Transport to the new GCSE and see whether they are interested in it as well.”
Mr Turner commented,
“This isn’t as silly as it seems – the issue being discussed was how well children are taught geography. We know that 10 per cent of Londoners don’t know they live in our capital city so I wondered what the Minister would make of this mistake. I’ve had this howler on my mind for some time, so I thought I’d mention it. I’m sure that officials will take a little more care in future now that the Minister for Schools has noticed that they may need a little more geographical awareness.
END
Extract from Hansard – 23rd November 2006
Mr. Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con): Speaking as a former geography teacher, may I suggest that we would have more confidence in the Government’s policies on geography if a Department for Transport consultation on the location of London’s airports had not sited the Isle of Wight just off the south coast of Portland Bill?
Jim Knight: As the Member representing Portland, I can say that while I can see the Isle of Wight from my constituency when I am in Swanage, it is a very clear day when I can see it from Portland. Perhaps I will refer my friends at the Department for Transport to the new GCSE and see whether they are interested in it as well.
