THE Government's chief whip, Hilary Armstrong, is to open a different sort of parliament on Friday, and head-up a question time debate.
The MP for north-west Durham will be in Consett to open the County Durham Learning Disabilities Service User Parliament.
It has been established by Durham County Council's social care and health service to allow service users to make their views known and have a say in the future direction of services for people with learning disabilities.
Over the past 12 months, service user groups have been formed in each of the five districts in the county.
Last November, elections were held to choose five people from each group to become members of parliament and represent their area and its services.
They will take key issues from their districts to the parliament, which will met bi-monthly in each of the five areas.
The parliament will work closely with the established Learning Disabilities Partnership Board to influence changes in learning disabilities throughout the county.
The first parliament was held last month and was considered successful, with all 25 members present.
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