Question Time

TALMANNEN

I would like to welcome the ministers. Questions today will be answered by Minister Lotta Edholm, Social Minister Jakob Forssmed, Minister Paulina Brandberg, and Minister Andreas Carlson.

A question must be of an overarching and general political nature or concern a subject that falls within the Minister's area of responsibility and concerns his/her performance of duties. The question shall therefore not concern, for example, conditions within political parties. Minister Lotta Edholm answers both general political questions and questions within her own area of responsibility.

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Åsa Westlund (S)

Mr. Speaker! In Swedish schools, we see too many disruptive classrooms, teachers who do not have time to prepare the lessons, and many students who do not receive the support they need. Every fourth student leaves primary school without complete grades. It has become increasingly decisive which parents you were born to when it comes to whether you will pass school or not.

We cannot have it this way. Society must step forward and take responsibility so that all students in Sweden receive a good education. The state must regulate what is absolutely most important in Swedish schools: staff density, teacher density, class sizes, and access to student health services. The state must also take a greater financing responsibility for Swedish schools and, of course, ban the pursuit of profit in Swedish schools.

We Social Democrats have reassessed our policy. We must do what is required to achieve an equitable school of knowledge in Sweden again.

My question is: Is the government prepared to introduce regulations of teacher density, increase the state's responsibility for the funding of schools, and ban profit-making schools?

Question Time

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Statsrådet Lotta Edholm (L)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the question. I truly welcome that the Social Democrats have now made a U-turn in school policy. We must ensure that Swedish schools are regulated more in the areas that Åsa Westlund mentions.

I have at least twelve different investigations on my desk. For the most part, all of them are about increasing the regulation of Swedish schools. We have a school system that is not equal. The municipalities invest vastly different amounts of money in schools. There is a difference of 70,000 kronor per pupil per year between the municipality that invests the most and the municipality that invests the least in schools. We must do something about this, and it is urgent. Therefore, I look forward to the investigations that will be presented here during the spring.

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Åsa Westlund (S)

Mr. Speaker! I thank the Minister for the answer. Can I take it as that the government is truly prepared to present proposals to introduce regulations on teacher density, staff density, class sizes, and access to student health for all schools in Sweden? Is one also prepared to introduce increased state funding and remove profit from the school? I still understood that the Minister answered that one is prepared to do at least the first part, but I would like to have a clear answer again to get real clarity on that question.

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Statsrådet Lotta Edholm (L)

Mr. Speaker! Yes, we are making regulations in all the areas that Åsa Westlund now mentions. We have a large free school investigation that is underway. We have an investigation into a national school fee norm that the municipalities will not be able to fall below. Yesterday, I received an investigation on safety and study environment in school. A very extensive work is ongoing in this area, and I am truly glad that the Social Democrats have also woken up from their slumber.

(Applause)

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Patrick Reslow (SD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Lotta Edholm.

After what we have seen in the media, the government has invited representatives from authorities, trade unions, and employer organizations to tackle the violence in schools. According to the government, good cooperation across authority boundaries is an important component in that work.

We Sweden Democrats, of course, agree that it is important to put an end to the violence in schools with powerful means. At the same time, we question why the Swedish Migration Agency is not included among the authorities now being called to a meeting, according to the press release that has been sent out, even though we know that it is in areas with an extremely high proportion of immigrants that the problems are at their worst.

My question to the Minister is: Why is the Swedish Migration Agency not included among the listed authorities that the Minister is now inviting to talks regarding violence in schools?

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Statsrådet Lotta Edholm (L)

Mr. Speaker! The violence, the harassment and the threats have reached new levels in Swedish schools. We have seen many examples of this in recent weeks. This is, of course, completely unacceptable. In order for us to address this, a number of different legislative changes are needed. Yesterday, I received an investigation regarding this. But better cooperation between authorities is also needed.

I have invited authorities, the trade unions that have members in schools, and also SKR. It concerns the authorities that can influence this, for example, the Swedish Police Authority and the Swedish Work Environment Authority. The purpose is to hear what those as authorities can do to curb this and what ideas they have regarding measures that the government can take to curb this and bring peace and quiet to our classrooms.

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Patrick Reslow (SD)

Mr. Speaker! It is good, I want to emphasize, that the government is addressing the school's disciplinary problems. We give our full support to this. But when we see that students at young ages are being recruited into criminal gangs that are often linked to areas with a high concentration of immigrants, does the Minister not then see a point in letting the Swedish Migration Agency be part of the work? Could a cooperation between, for example, the school, the Swedish Migration Agency, and the Police Authority not be effective in that work?

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Statsrådet Lotta Edholm (L)

Mr. Speaker! This meeting is primarily about how we are to achieve peace and quiet in our classrooms and how we are to curb violence and harassment directed at staff. It is not primarily about gang crime. Naturally, there may be a connection, but it is not given that it does. The Swedish Migration Agency does not work in our schools in the same way that, for example, the police and social services do.

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Daniel Riazat (V)

Mr. Speaker! I would like to ask a question to Minister for Education Lotta Edholm.

Since the right-wing nationalist presidential candidate Donald Trump was elected as USA's president, information has emerged regarding donors to the Republican campaigns and to Donald Trump's presidential inauguration. Among other things, it has emerged that Swedish companies have been diligent in donating money, not least companies that own Swedish independent schools.

Admittedly, Sweden has the world's most extreme free school system, but I would like to know what School Minister Lotta Edholm thinks about the fact that, for example, the founders of Internationella Engelska Skolan have in recent years been involved in donating millions of kronor to the Republicans' campaigns. I would like to know what Lotta Edholm thinks about the fact that the Wallenberg Group, which is a partial owner in a number of Swedish free schools, has also been involved in donating million-sum amounts. Is it appropriate, does the School Minister think?

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Statsrådet Lotta Edholm (L)

Mr. Speaker! What I consider to be reasonably uninteresting. How the American election campaign is financed, regardless of where the money goes, must be a matter for American legislation and a matter for those who choose to donate money. I have no particular views on this, other than that school fees in Sweden naturally shall go to the school.

It is precisely this question that the government is working on through two large inquiries regarding the financing of friskolor and how we are to remove the profit motive as a driving force in Swedish schools.

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Daniel Riazat (V)

Mr. Speaker! I am becoming concerned. Can the Minister for Education guarantee that Swedish taxpayers' money, which has gone to school fees intended to finance school, student health, and a good education for children in Sweden, has not gone via the owners of Internationella Engelska Skolan and the Wallenberg Group, or other owners, to the American presidential campaign?

How the money has come to the presidential campaigns is not just an issue for the USA. We know that these people own independent schools in Sweden, and it is your duty as Minister of Education to take this seriously.

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Statsrådet Lotta Edholm (L)

Mr. Speaker! I have many times in the speaker's chair said that Swedish school needs to be regulated significantly more. We have had far too large degrees of freedom. Schools have been too poor, and there are large differences in how the financing of Swedish school is carried out.

We will now address these questions through both the large free school inquiry and the inquiry into, among other things, national school funding. Of course, money for schools should also go to the schools.

(Applause)

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Niels Paarup-Petersen (C)

Mr. Speaker! My question also goes to Lotta Edholm.

There is a lot of focus on the rowdiness and the violence in Swedish schools right now, and it is good that there is focus on the problem.

Yesterday, a very good investigation was submitted, and there are many things there that are worth taking further. But all of this is, in broad terms, only about what happens after something has gone wrong. If we are to succeed, we must look at what must be done so that it does not go wrong.

We want to regulate the planning time and set a maximum number of 25 students per classroom, but we also want to guarantee that there are actually qualified teachers in the Swedish classrooms. That is where the foundation for creating a good culture and structure for the students begins. We want to guarantee that all principals who employ qualified teachers receive more money than those who do not. We also want to ensure that there are educational requirements for all unqualified teachers so that there is a movement from unqualified to qualified teachers.

Is the Minister for Education interested in following the Center Party's proposal in these areas?

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Statsrådet Lotta Edholm (L)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the important question.

We do not need to follow the Center Party's ideas in this area because the government is already working with them. It is a misunderstanding if one thinks that the investigation presented yesterday is primarily about what one does afterwards when something has gone wrong. I would say that the investigation primarily concerns the preventive work in the classroom with the help of clear regulations, for example, that it is the teacher who decides what happens in the classroom and how relocations shall be handled, and so on.

All this naturally promotes a good working environment. But for this to happen, there must also be well-trained teachers. In that regard, an investigation has presented a proposal for a completely new teacher education.

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Niels Paarup-Petersen (C)

Mr. Speaker! I note that we agree that there should be order and that, in light of the submitted investigation, good steps are being taken. But requiring grade C to enter the education does nothing for the thousands of unqualified teachers who already exist, nor does it increase attractiveness, and in the worst case, it will result in more unqualified teachers. On that question, the government has no answer.

Do you agree that schools that employ qualified teachers should receive more money than those that employ unqualified teachers? Do you agree with setting requirements for education for unqualified teachers so that they can become qualified?

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Statsrådet Lotta Edholm (L)

Mr. Speaker! We are now working with large programs for unauthorized persons working as teachers. We also have the large professional program that is being launched so that teachers can receive further education and deeper knowledge in different subjects. All of this is already underway.

But it is also incredibly important for the teaching profession's attractiveness that there is peace and quiet in our classrooms.

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Camilla Hansén (MP)

Mr. Speaker! In the coming years, the reductions in the number of children are expected to be large. We know that the groups in the preschool are already too large in relation to the general guidelines. We also know that the government has caused layoffs within preschools and schools because it has let municipalities bear high costs that have arisen due to inflation after the pandemic and war, even though Sweden's economy has been strong.

A high teacher density is, of course, crucial for good quality in education, not least for children with greater needs. The preschools do not reach the goals in the general guidelines when it comes to group sizes.

What will the minister do going forward so that preschools can invest in following the general recommendations, that is, reducing group sizes and increasing the teacher density in the preschool? There is now an opportunity thanks to the decreasing cohorts of children.

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Statsrådet Lotta Edholm (L)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the very important question.

It is true that the number of children is decreasing significantly, but there is still, and will continue to be, a shortage of preschool teachers. It is incredibly important that the teaching profession, including the preschool teacher profession, becomes so attractive that more people choose to become preschool teachers. An important part of this is, for example, that pre- and post-work, that is, planning time, should be regulated.

There is an investigation currently working on these issues. I am by no means unfamiliar with regulating the size of preschool groups in Sweden as well. I believe that Swedish school, including preschool, must be regulated more than it is today. In that way, one can also increase the attractiveness of the preschool teacher profession.

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Camilla Hansén (MP)

Mr. Speaker! What I was looking for in my question was that the municipalities should have economic muscles, that the government in the coming years should not pull the rug out from under the municipalities and instead take advantage of the opportunity that decreasing child groups entail.

Like an onion on the salmon, the government has an investigation on its table, which I perceive that they are positive towards, with raised admission requirements for the preschool teacher education which will mean that fewer are graduated. How will that affect the quality?

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Statsrådet Lotta Edholm (L)

Mr. Speaker! I am completely convinced that higher admission requirements in the Swedish language will increase the quality in Swedish preschools. Today, many of those who enter the teacher training programs practically have insufficient prior knowledge. We must do something about this; hence the investigation that is now out for consultation. It will be exciting to read the consultation responses.

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Alexandra Anstrell (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is directed to the Minister for Equality.

In Sweden, all children shall have the right to grow up as free individuals without having to bear symbols of submission or feel the family's pressure on their shoulders.

Many girls who want to avoid the veil are forced to take the difficult fight themselves at home and perhaps against an entire family. It is a struggle that no child should have to fight alone. Here, society can and should step in and take responsibility.

How is the work progressing with banning the veil in preschool and school so that all girls can be given the same right to be children, free from coercion, norms, and expectations that they themselves have not chosen?

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Statsrådet Paulina Brandberg (L)

Mr. Speaker! I thank the member for a very important question.

I completely agree with the view that we must ensure that young girls are not forced to wear veils or other symbols of oppression.

From the government's side, we agree that we shall criminalize the coercion to wear religious symbols.

The work does not stop there, however, but we are ramping up the fight against honor oppression on several fronts. One thing we have done in the recent past is that we have given a mandate to Barnafrid at Linköping University. They are to spread knowledge to staff in preschools and schools on how to be able to detect signs of honor oppression and work with reports of concern regarding this so that the problems can be caught in a much better way than today.

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Alexandra Anstrell (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for the answer, Minister!

Many girls testify that the veil is not a free choice but something they are expected to wear or perhaps even forced to wear from an early age. A ban in school would give them a free zone where they escape the family's pressures and would mean that we instead take the responsibility for it.

Does the government see the problem that today we leave these girls alone in a struggle that they should not have to face themselves? And when can we expect concrete measures regarding specifically the hijab ban?

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Statsrådet Paulina Brandberg (L)

Mr. Speaker and Member! Swedish schools and preschools shall be completely free from honor-oppression. But we know that unfortunately that is not the case today. We have problems, partly due to ignorance or anxiety among school staff and preschool staff, and because there is staff who actively uphold the oppression.

At the Government Offices, we are currently preparing how we shall take the issue further. But at the same time, we are ramping up the fight against honor oppression on several different fronts, including by appointing a special gender equality policy sub-goal regarding exactly this.

(Applause)

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Mathias Bengtsson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Every year, thousands of students leave primary school without eligibility for upper secondary school. For many, it becomes a dead end that leads to unemployment, mental ill-health, or crime instead of further studies. This dropout rate must come to an end. Of course, the academic results need to be raised, but we must also change the system so that more are given a reasonable chance to move forward in their education.

Today, an F grade in a single subject can close the door completely to upper secondary school. We in Kristdemokraterna want to change that. At the same time, we want to introduce a simpler, more practically oriented vocational school as a third option in upper secondary school.

We believe that both changes in the grading system and the F grade, and an even more practically oriented track in upper secondary school, could help more students move forward.

I would like to ask the Minister for Education how the government views this. How is the government working to stop the dropouts in the Swedish school system?

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Statsrådet Lotta Edholm (L)

Mr. Speaker! It is an enormously important question that Mathias Bengtsson is asking. We are now working on fundamentally redesigning the Swedish grading system. I look forward to the investigation which, within a few months, will actually present its proposals. That includes, among other things, removing the sharp F-grade. I do not want to anticipate the investigation's proposals, but I have said previously that I find it interesting. And I believe that quite a few will think it is an interesting system.

We also need to develop upper secondary school, just as Mathias Bengtsson says, and also obtain an education that is oriented towards professions in a more practical way than how it works in the national programs today. That investigation is now out for consultation, I believe, or should in any case be referred. That work is therefore ongoing.

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Mathias Bengtsson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Minister for Education, for the answer!

This elimination and the system we have unfortunately seem to contribute to increased mental ill-health among the young. There is a clear connection between, among other things, the introduction of the grade F and increased mental ill-health among students. A new grading system could counteract this and reduce mental ill-health.

I intended to ask the Minister for Education what other parts of the school can contribute to working against mental ill-health among young people.

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Statsrådet Lotta Edholm (L)

Mr. Speaker! The school has a very important role. And we now have, for example, an investigation into student health and on restoring what is usually called the care mandate.

The school also has an important mission in conveying knowledge on how to strengthen one's mental health. The work that is currently underway regarding, for example, mobile phones in schools and to remove many screens, especially for children of younger ages, will of course also contribute to better mental health among children and young people.

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Helena Gellerman (L)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Infrastructure Minister Andreas Carlson.

The Nordic countries together constitute the eleventh largest economy globally. Through increased cooperation, we can strengthen both Sweden and the Nordic region. Building out our transport infrastructure across our borders is an important piece of the puzzle in strengthening the competitiveness of Sweden and the Nordic region. Unfortunately, there are obstacles, such as the fact that our countries' infrastructure planning is not synchronized and that investigations into cross-border transport during previous parliamentary terms have been set aside because both countries have not been involved.

Given that Sweden is now entering the infrastructure action planning for 2026-2037, I wonder what the Minister is doing to coordinate the Nordic infrastructure planning. I also wonder what progress has been made in the Nordic cooperation so far during the current parliamentary term.

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! A great deal is being done. The Nordic cooperation in the transport area is, for natural reasons, closer than it has been in a long time. In our global environment, we have uncertainty, and there is war in Europe. In that case, our cooperation is very important. Keeping one's friends closer than ever is central. It is also absolutely crucial.

Transporters of, for example, food for our supply capacity and of military materiel will be important to maintain our ability to provide host nation support to Nato. We have therefore deepened our cooperation at the ministerial level.

We updated and deepened our cooperation in an agreement at the ministerial meeting that I hosted in Gothenburg last year. We have now also tasked our authorities to coordinate their efforts in a very operational and close manner. Sweden is represented there by Trafikverket.

We will also take further measures in this regard over the coming weeks.

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Helena Gellerman (L)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you very much for the answer.

As a follow-up question, I wanted to bring up the agreement on common understanding between the Nordic countries that was moved forward in December.

Which areas does the Minister consider important to focus on to ensure that transport continues to function in a crisis?

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! The purpose of the memorandum of understanding is to strengthen and improve cooperation regarding transport readiness and cross-border transport infrastructure between the Nordic countries.

In a few weeks, Trafikverket will host a collaborative project called Platform North, which aims for exactly what the questioner is referring to: that our planning should be synchronized more closely between the Nordic countries. It doesn't matter if we reinforce the Malmbanan if corresponding reinforcements are not made on the Ofotbanen. More systems thinking is also needed from a Nordic perspective.

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Anna Vikström (S)

Mr. Speaker! In the investigation on dental care for victims of violence, it is proposed that dental care for injuries after violence in close relationships should not cost more than a doctor's visit and should not be a financial issue for the person who has been subjected to violence. The investigation also proposes that questions about exposure to violence should be regularly asked of everyone who visits dental care. The investigation's proposals were submitted in February 2023.

My question to Minister Jakob Forssmed is whether you intend to proceed with the commission's proposals and, if so, when the patients affected can be spared from having to pay all or parts of the dental care costs for these injuries themselves.

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Anna Vikström, for an important question!

It is extremely important that we better integrate dental care into healthcare overall and also use the platform that dental care represents, for example in this context but also in other issues concerning health or well-being. Research has advanced and shows that there are many synergies regarding dental care.

This report is being prepared by the Ministry of Social Affairs. It is very interesting. I will have to get back with an announcement regarding in what way the government will proceed with this.

It is quite clear that this is a vulnerable group that needs to receive help and where dental care can play an important and positive role.

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Carita Boulwén (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Around 1.2 million Swedes, about one in ten inhabitants, take antidepressants, something that the Sweden Democrats are deeply concerned about. For some, medication may be necessary, but a lack of resources, knowledge, and routines for safe tapering means that many continue entirely unnecessarily. This increases both the risk of side effects and the costs to society. Without proper support, those who wish to taper off also risk suffering from serious withdrawal reactions. Medication should therefore not be a standard solution. We need clearer guidelines, more resources for alternative treatments, and better education for healthcare personnel.

My question to the Minister for Social Affairs is: Given the extensive prescription of antidepressants, does the government intend to take measures to ensure that patients receive individual options and the right support for a safe and well-planned tapering and discontinuation? If so, how?

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! It is a very pressing question from Carita Boulwén. We can see that Sweden stands out a bit when it comes to antidepressants, not least when it comes to prescription to children, compared to other countries. There are indeed reasons to reflect on how this is used, if there is access to other treatment methods, and how we develop this in the best way.

Today we have reached a decision on an agreement with Sveriges Kommuner och Regioner that covers approximately 1.6 billion. The purpose is to cooperate to strengthen psychiatry in various ways. It is extremely urgent, not least against this background. We also have specific assignments for Läkemedelsverket regarding ADHD. There, we have seen a very rapid prescription of medicines and a rapid increase in diagnoses. It is another example. We need to understand more about this and update treatment recommendations, so that we know we are doing the right thing. Just as the member says, many are helped by these medicines, but a bit more structurally we need to get a better grip on this.

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Malin Östh (V)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Infrastructure.

Air travel may be needed for several reasons. Sometimes, air travel can also be the only option. But air travel is not a sustainable mode of transport. Combined research shows that the only way to reduce aviation emissions in line with the Paris Agreement, which Sweden has signed, is for flying to decrease. But that is not what the government is communicating. The Minister for Infrastructure chooses instead to urge the Swedish people and public actors to fly more and also paints a picture that air travel in the near term will be one of the most climate-smart ways to travel, despite the research showing that the challenges are great and that it may take 30 years or more before air travel is sustainable.

I therefore want to ask the Minister whether, based on what the research shows and in the midst of a climate crisis, it is appropriate to encourage increased flying.

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! My request is very clear and distinct: We shall not set different modes of transport against each other. Aviation is a supporting part for Sweden to function. It has built Sweden strong. It is important today, and it will be important even in the future.

Sweden also has a unique opportunity to contribute to the reduction of global aviation emissions with the high-level expertise that exists in our aviation industry in Sweden. We also have airlines that are world leaders when it comes to driving the development of sustainable aviation fuel. We have electric aviation companies that are on the verge of a breakthrough. But one thing is certain: We will not succeed in influencing aviation emission reductions on a global level if we let aviation in Sweden die of starvation.

What is important is that all of Sweden should function, and in that regard, aviation is of course an important part. But it should not be at the expense of other types of transport, as all types of transport are important for us to have a robust transport system to rely on.

(Applause)

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Helena Vilhelmsson (C)

Mr. Speaker! In Sweden, we have an overarching equality goal and six sub-goals, soon seven. The strategy for achieving these goals is gender mainstreaming in our agencies. Together with other targeted measures, the strategy is a tool to ensure that all decisions, letters, bills, recommendations, etc. in the entire state apparatus as well as all implementations have a gender perspective.

The integration of equality in our agencies has been specified in the regulatory letters for many years. But judge our surprise when that is not the case this year. In the regulatory letters of over 40 agencies, the wording is significantly reduced or removed. To potentially refer to the fact that agencies have received specific assignments within different equality policy areas is no alternative, even if it is also good. To remove wording in the regulatory letters to the agencies that has been a supporting part of the overall holistic strategy since 1994 is quite remarkable.

My question to the Minister for Equality is: Why has the government decided to remove these passages?

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Statsrådet Paulina Brandberg (L)

Mr. Speaker! I thank the member for an important question.

Gender mainstreaming is the government's primary strategy to ensure that our gender equality work reaches all capillaries in society. This also applies within the Government Offices, where I, as Minister for Gender Equality, have the coordinating responsibility, but where all cabinet ministers in the government have a responsibility to incorporate a gender equality perspective within their respective areas.

We also work closely with our authorities. As recently as a few months ago, I invited 50 directors-general from various authorities in Sweden to a meeting to talk about exactly that, gender equality integration. We were five ministers who participated in that meeting.

Equality integration can be communicated in several different ways. In this government, we have different ways to really send clear signals that this is our continued strategy, not least physical meetings where we invite directors-general to discuss these important issues.

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Ulrika Westerlund (MP)

Mr. Speaker! My question is also addressed to Minister Paulina Brandberg.

Last week, the much-awaited LGBTQI action plan arrived. The previous action plan expired in 2023. We are very pleased that a new one has now been released. It is built largely on the previous action plan, but some areas have been taken further, for example the labor market. Work against hate and threats has also been strengthened, which is very important.

I do, however, miss some legislative areas – I suspect the Minister knows which ones I will bring up. I would like to have a comment on a possible ban on so-called conversion attempts. That is my one missing part. The other missing part concerns the legislation in the family policy area. There is a very good investigation there called *Alla tiders föräldraskap* (Parenting of all times), which is also mentioned in the action plan. The investigation has several good proposals, including the possibility of adopting after a separation and the introduction of a time limit for revocation. If one does not want to proceed with the entire proposal from the investigation, I would, for example, advocate for those two measures.

(Applause)

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Statsrådet Paulina Brandberg (L)

Mr. Speaker! I thank the member for the question. I am very proud of the action plan that the government was able to present last week. It contains many good and important measures to strengthen the rights and opportunities of LGBTQI persons in Sweden.

However, the action plan should not be interpreted as the entirety of what the government is doing in this area. This is an action plan that does not primarily focus on legislative changes but on other measures that we believe make a real difference.

At the same time, we are handling the issues the member is referring to. The question of conversion attempts is part of the Tidö Agreement. An investigation has concluded that this should not be criminalized. We have not yet landed on what the government's position will be in that matter; rather, it is something being prepared in the Government Offices. The same applies to the other investigation that the member refers to. We will have to come back to those questions.

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Thomas Ragnarsson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I would like to ask a question to Minister for Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed.

I know that the Minister is as passionate as I am when it comes to the introduction of the leisure card. We find ourselves in a situation where the health status of children and young people is deteriorating increasingly, while at the same time we know that the number of young people who participate in various organized activities tends to decrease.

My question is therefore: How is the introduction of the leisure card progressing, and is there anything that can be done to accelerate this introduction?

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for the question!

It is basically going well. Then, Sweden is a country where it is not always easy in the bureaucratic system when a problem has been identified and a new thing is to be done. But in the autumn, it will be in place.

It will mean that all children in Sweden aged 8-16 years will receive a card where there is money that can be used solely for an active and meaningful leisure time. Those who are in socioeconomic vulnerability will receive four times as much on their cards.

I believe that this will be one of all the measures that we must take to ensure that children and young people do not stop doing sports when they are ten or eleven years old or never even start, but we should get as many as possible involved for as long as possible in the good communities.

There we weave the threads of good present leaders and adults around the children and ensure that they receive greetings, community, belonging and safety, and that they are sought after, seen and perhaps also loved in those cases where they do not get it anywhere else. It is incredibly important.

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Cecilia Engström (KD)

Mr. Speaker! My question also goes to Social Minister Jakob Forssmed.

The introduction of small-scale farm sales of alcoholic beverages is introduced on June 1 according to the government's decision. The EU Commission has not appealed the decision, and the assessment is that it therefore does not threaten the Swedish Systembolaget's monopoly.

From the Christian Democrats, we have been clear about safeguarding public health even in this issue. Therefore, we emphasize that it is the visit and a qualitative visit experience that should be in focus and perhaps not just the sale.

At the same time, the reform can have great significance for, among other things, the Skåne business community, where many small producers of beer and wine see new opportunities as tourist destinations.

The application for a farm sale permit shall today be made to the municipality where the place of sale is located. My question to Minister for Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed is therefore which principles shall apply and what requirements shall be set for the granting of the permit from the municipality.

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! We seem to have cut through the Gordian knot of the farm sales. That the commission had no comments was, of course, a kind of receipt of this.

Then we know that it can be challenged in a process ahead. But we are convinced that we have now done such solid work that it will hold and that it is possible to reconcile small-scale farm sales with the retail monopoly, which is important not only for public health but also for the small producers and for the service level in all of Sweden.

It feels very good that we have now placed the proposal on the Riksdag's table. The principles will be clear. It is not about opening all sales channels wide, but it is precisely the visit that is at the center. The municipalities shall ensure that the requirements are met.

We are actually creating a third channel for sales. Alongside retail, there are restaurants and the tourism industry's opportunity, in connection with a visit, to sell a small amount of alcohol to refine the visitor experience and develop Kullabygden, Smålands Toscana, or whatever it may be. The municipality will be able to follow up on this.

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Niklas Sigvardsson (S)

Mr. Speaker! On Tuesday, Skolverket presented its teacher forecast until 2038. It is a forecast that shows that there will continue to be a shortage of qualified teachers in the country, and the shortage is estimated to be over 10,000 teachers. The greatest shortage will be for preschool teachers, secondary school teachers, special education teachers, and vocational teachers.

Skolverket states in its forecast that, in comparison to today, 1,000 more student teachers will be needed to be able to remedy the future shortage.

At the same time, there is an investigation on the government's desk regarding changing teacher education. It would mean that 3,000-4,000 fewer students will begin a teacher education.

Therefore, my question to Lotta Edholm is how the government intends to solve the future teacher shortage when there are simultaneously proposals that the establishment of the number of new places will be brutally cut.

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Statsrådet Lotta Edholm (L)

Mr. Speaker! This is a very important issue.

When one looks at the teacher training programs, one sees that we have very large dropout rates. A large part of those who drop out of the teacher training programs are those who had insufficient knowledge already from the beginning. The interesting thing is not how many who enter the teacher training program, but how many who come out.

I am completely convinced that if we are to get more young people to want to become teachers, we must also ensure that the working conditions in schools are improved. We must, for example, ensure that there is no violence in our schools and that we eliminate harassment, as well as ensure that teachers have good development when it comes to conditions, salary, and so on. We all have a responsibility for that.

I believe that through increased requirements, more people will also want to become teachers.

(Applause)

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Thomas Morell (SD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Infrastructure Minister Andreas Carlson.

The Swedish taxi market was deregulated on July 1, 1990. Since the deregulation, we have been able to observe that competition on equal terms has not been achieved. Competition on equal terms is a prerequisite for sound business practices.

We have also been able to read the reports about the app companies that operate in very murky ways in just the taxi business. In some cases, it is actually a matter of pure criminal activity.

Svenska Taxiförbundet submitted a petition to the Minister for Infrastructure during last spring to review the taxi traffic act and to tighten the penalties when the existing regulations are not followed.

My question to the Minister is: When will Taxiförbundet receive an answer to its petition? Will the Minister for Infrastructure return with proposals to rectify the so-called black taxi activity, which is widespread across the country?

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you very much, Thomas Morell, for a very pressing question!

Control and supervision of taxi operations and other professional transport is, of course, very important. We have allocated more funds to the Transport Agency to be able to perform those tasks. The Police Authority must, as the House is well aware, significantly increase resources to be able to perform control and supervision.

In response to the question, I have also had several meetings with Taxiförbundet regarding the specific point the member raises. We are preparing the motion at the department.

I also want to add that we have had legislation in place for some time now that allows for the forfeiture of tools, status symbols, and cash that have a connection to the serious criminal environment.

It also concerns illegal and unauthorized taxi traffic, which will become a very powerful tool in the fight for better competition in the taxi market.

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Anna Lasses (C)

Mr. Speaker! The Minister for Infrastructure just said that aviation is a fundamental part for Sweden to function. This applies in particular to Gotland, and perhaps especially to all those who commute daily between Gotland and Stockholm.

Some time ago, all the plans that went to Bromma were shut down. That now means that travelers are referred only to Arlanda. This meant, among other things, a halved number of departures, which means that it is fully booked several weeks in advance. I know that it is in the process of being resolved, but it is still a problem.

It has also meant an extended, yes actually a doubled, travel time because one has to be there earlier and it is further to walk. Then it is also further from Stockholm when one is going to take the train in. It has also become much more expensive, because there is an extra fee for the train when one is going to take it from Arlanda into the city.

My question is: What is the Minister for Infrastructure doing? What is happening here? And not least: How do the government and the state secure the transport of patients, blood, and samples that are also included in this package?

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Anna Lasses, for the question!

The situation that has arisen is a result of BRA, instead of flying traffic at Bromma, having decided to sign an agreement with SAS and fly for SAS at Arlanda. It is a business settlement that I have no reason to comment on. But it is the background to the situation that has arisen.

In that situation, it is of course important to have some patience and see what can be done to strengthen the situation at Arlanda. Work is being carried out there by the government-appointed Arlanda Coordinator, who among other things has the task of submitting proposals on how accessibility to and from Arlanda can be strengthened to facilitate travel, just as the member is pointing out.

The second question that arises concerns Bromma Airport. We in the government have announced that we will appoint an investigator to see how Bromma Airport can be strengthened and how important functions that currently exist at Bromma can be secured in the continued airport infrastructure. We will return to this.

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Jacob Risberg (MP)

Mr. Speaker! My question also goes to Infrastructure Minister Carlson.

Today, there is a regular flight route to and from Bromma, the one to and from Trollhättan. Other routes have been discontinued or moved to Arlanda. Regarding ambulance flights, Karolinska Hospital primarily uses helicopters for emergency care, while some non-emergency flights can still take place from Bromma today. The Armed Forces have confirmed that a closure of Bromma airport will have no consequences for the defense. And the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce has criticized the government's enthusiasm for Bromma airport and said that the losses from Bromma drain Swedavia.

The Minister has said several times that the whole country should live. But is it really sensible to pump millions of tax kronor into Bromma just so that Trollhättan should have its own terminal in Stockholm?

(Applause)

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Jacob Risberg gives a deeply simplified picture of the situation at Bromma. The airspace movements are largely remaining over Stockholm - 10,000 airspace movements per year. The airspace surveillance is currently carried out from Bromma airport. According to the assessments that have been made, it is not possible to move the airspace surveillance from the capital to Arlanda. There is no answer as to how one would solve the airspace surveillance in our capital if one were to close the air traffic control tower at Bromma airport.

I do not think anyone wants to take a chance on this in the security policy times we live in - in particular not because our airspace is integrated, civil and military. There is also an important workshop function at Bromma that has no place at Arlanda.

Then I think that Jacob Risberg underestimates the socially important role of aviation and how important Arlanda airport is and how important Bromma airport is. There are important functions today. One can load patients in hangars in a very smooth way at Bromma airport. There are no solutions for that if one were to move all of this to Arlanda.

There are many more parts in this that will be reviewed in the investigation that has been announced.

(Applause)

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Caroline Högström (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question also goes to Minister Andreas Carlson.

High alert has been one of the government's important and necessary goals. And we see how we have broadly across different areas strengthened just the preparedness since the change of government on both local and national levels, which of course is important and necessary.

During the week, the question was raised in my home county of Västmanland regarding how the government plans to strengthen preparedness within the transport sector. For example, there are diesel buses and diesel trains that have been phased out for environmental reasons. These vehicles could be important complements in the event of, for example, war or crisis.

Can the Minister for Infrastructure tell us something about the government's work for strengthened preparedness within the transport sector and a robust infrastructure, and how they plan to collaborate with municipalities and regions across Sweden?

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I would be happy to do so. Caroline Högströms question could be answered during the remainder of the question period. A very extensive work is underway.

Some actually link this to Jacob Risberg's question about Bromma. The Armed Forces have, of course, stated that it is not important in direct connection to military capability. But the importance of investigating Bromma from a total defense perspective is emphasized. Jacob Risberg only included a part of the Armed Forces' statement.

It is therefore important to work closely with the Armed Forces - we do that. It is important to incorporate these perspectives into the work with a national plan - we do that. It is important that we do not only look at the infrastructure, that it is robust in itself. It is also about us having reliable transport.

Within the preparedness sector Transport, for which Trafikverket is the responsible authority, an intensified cooperation between the private and public sectors is ongoing. This includes municipalities. It includes spare parts preparedness, repair preparedness, and also what the member is referring to, which is about not putting all eggs in one basket but also having redundancy in terms of vehicles.

Mr. Speaker! As I said, I could have continued for the rest of the question period, but I will conclude here.

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Magnus Jacobsson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Education.

I have previously been a school politician for 12-13 years and had the privilege of seeing how schools work and the management of independent schools. Now I have the privilege of sitting on a board in a Christian-ideology-based independent school. I also see there how the treatment can be different both from municipalities and the school inspectorate - if one compares the conditions.

A large and important part of ideology-driven independent schools is that one usually – or rather, it is always the case – does not take out profit, but instead works actively to reinvest the money. Most ideology-driven independent schools have never formed any kind of group over the head at all. Still, the debates are always about group formations and profits.

On the other hand, one can see that it can actually be quite tough sometimes for the more ideology-driven friskolor. My experience is unfortunately that the municipalities disadvantage friskolor.

What is the government doing to favor and facilitate more idea-driven independent schools in Sweden?

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Statsrådet Lotta Edholm (L)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the question.

I believe that all schools in Sweden benefit from a more regulated school system. This applies in particular to the financing. We see that there are very large differences in how much money the municipalities invest in schools and thus also in the independent schools that have students from different municipalities. It can often be difficult for non-profit independent schools because they have students from different municipalities. One student can generate a certain amount and another student a completely different amount. One becomes very dependent on which municipality one receives its students from. This can be avoided through a national school funding norm, which provides much more equal conditions for schools in Sweden.

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Johanna Haraldsson (S)

Mr. Speaker! Every day, people are subjected to threats, violence, or harassment at work. A few weeks ago, a woman was attacked and killed at her workplace in a grocery store in the Stockholm area. Occupational injury statistics show that those working in health and social care, retail, as well as hotels and restaurants, are more exposed than others to threats, violence, and harassment.

The Minister for Employment has promised that she will submit a proposal to the Riksdag to ratify the ILO convention on the elimination of violence and harassment in the workplace. But we have not yet seen any such proposal from the government.

I wonder what other measures Minister Paulina Brandberg believes are needed so that people who work in Sweden do not have to be afraid of being subjected to threats and violence at work, and when she intends to act.

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Statsrådet Paulina Brandberg (L)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, member, for an important question!

It is the government's self-evident starting point that no one should have to be subjected to threats, violence or harassment in their work. And we view with concern that certain occupational categories are more vulnerable than others.

This is a problem that we must approach from several different angles. One thing that we in the government have done to take a holistic approach is that we have appointed an inquiry to develop proposals for a new work environment strategy. This is, of course, a very important part of the work environment. If one is not safe, one does not have a good work environment.

We must, of course, also see that in many cases it is a matter of crime, and then the justice system needs to be able to act against it. We now have a situation with widespread gang crime. I am very pleased that we in this government have allocated large resources to the justice system, so that the justice system can not only handle the skyrocketing gang crime but also other crimes, for example, this type of crime.

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Sara Gille (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Female genital mutilation is a serious violation of human rights, and it is an extreme form of honor-related violence and oppression.

In Sweden, we have clear laws against female genital mutilation, but there is an aspect that is rarely discussed. When one turns 18, it is possible at private clinics to undergo procedures that involve parts of the external genitalia being removed or altered. For many women, especially those living under honor oppression, these procedures occur before a wedding. They cannot be regarded as entirely voluntary.

Turning 18 does not automatically mean that one is free from honor-related oppression or its expectations. What does the Minister for Equality intend to do to ensure that women living under honor oppression are not subjected to female genital mutilation at private clinics, even after they have turned 18?

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Statsrådet Paulina Brandberg (L)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, member, for an important question! February 6 is the international day against female genital mutilation, so this is a topical issue to talk about.

We have, as we have said, criminalized female genital mutilation in Sweden. Something that is close and also concerns interference with women's genitals is what is called virginity operations. It is also close to what the member is talking about. Through the Tidö Agreement, we agree that this is something we want to criminalize, and we have also received an investigation that prepares just that type of measure.

It is clear that we must gear up in a general sense when it comes to honor-related violence and oppression, and the government is doing so. As I mentioned recently, we have now announced that the government will appoint a seventh gender equality policy sub-goal, precisely so that we can highlight this issue and work much more effectively with targeted interventions against measures aimed at controlling the sexuality of girls and women.

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Adam Reuterskiöld (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Andreas Carlson.

Over the past year, Sweden has been in a tough economic situation. Rising interest rates and high inflation result in high production and financing costs, which has made a significant impact, not least within construction.

To reverse the development in the economy, the government has prioritized fighting inflation, and it has effectively brought down interest rates and inflation. It looks as if the bottom for construction has been reached and that we can expect improvements in that area.

We have, however, for a long time seen how various permit processes have been expanded and the lead times for the processes have become longer and longer. One of the major obstacles in construction and business establishments is the long lead times. It takes on average between five and ten years for a detailed plan and building permit cases. This results in a great waste of resources, and in many cases, it could have been avoided.

In order for lead times to be shortened, an efficiency improvement of the authorities' processes is required. How does the Minister view these issues?

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I completely agree with Adam Reuterskiöld that long lead times are one of the structural problems that affect the construction of housing very negatively in Sweden.

The Government has decided on a supplementary directive to the Environmental Permit Investigation, which aims specifically to shorten processing times, among other things through increased requirements for trial permits and a changed order of instances. The investigator shall look at how the circle that the municipality must consult with in a detailed plan case can be reduced, whether the circle that can appeal can be reduced, and whether a fee for appealing can be introduced in order to achieve higher progress and a higher tempo in that way. It shall also be assessed whether the publicly required investigations within the framework of the planning process can be limited and clarified, and they shall also analyze further proposals from what is known in the industry as Bygg i tid.

These are important measures to shorten lead times and achieve increased construction in Sweden, and we have now taken an important step regarding that.

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Carina Ödebrink (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Infrastructure.

The planning of the Norrbotniabanan between Umeå and Skellefteå is complete, but the decision on the start of construction is delayed. When the newspaper Norran asked the Sverigedemokraterna members of parliament from Västerbotten about their stance on the Norrbotniabanan, they were evasive. On the other hand, the Sverigedemokraterna group leader in the transport committee answered that the most important priority is the section between Göteborg and Alingsås.

I would therefore like to ask Minister Andreas Carlson, who is minister thanks to the support of the Sverigedemokraterna, if he shares the view that the distance between Göteborg and Alingsås is more important than the start of construction for the Norrbotniabanan.

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! One can put together clips from different newspapers across the country and set different things against each other, and of course, every member is free to do so.

I myself received questions about the Norrbotniabanan when I was in Haparanda on Monday. I answered then in the same way that I will answer the members in the chamber today, Mr. Speaker, namely that the matter is being prepared in the Government Offices.

This is an important issue. It is important to strengthen the infrastructure, and it is of course important to prepare these matters in good order. We are preparing them at a high pace, and I look forward to returning to both those who ask the questions in different parts of the country and to the member here in the chamber.

With this, the answer today is that the matter is being prepared in the Government Offices.

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Robert Stenkvist (SD)

Mr. Speaker! My general political question is addressed to Minister Edholm.

According to the Higher Education Act, the activities at our universities shall be conducted based on scientific principles. To guarantee quality and fairness in higher education, the meritocratic system is also of the utmost importance.

Despite this, we have now been reached by completely different signals. First, it was Chalmers that started a DEI center, whose task, among other things, is to focus on targeted recruitment with diversity as the goal.

It later emerged that in the regulatory letter for the Swedish Defence University, a goal has been set for the institution to newly recruit 53 percent women, i.e., a direct quota goal. This goes directly against meritocracy.

Does the Minister of State consider that quotas and diversity policy goals are more important than defending the meritocratic system at our educational institutions?

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Statsrådet Lotta Edholm (L)

Mr. Speaker! It is important that young women who today study mathematics and have very high competence and high grades also feel that, for example, the profession of civil engineer is for them. If they only engage in traditional female occupations, Swedish industry loses a very important workforce.

Sweden builds to a very high extent on skilled engineers, and then it is important that young girls feel that the profession is for them. I know that, for example, both Chalmers and KTH work very much with these issues. Not least the industry wants the very most skilled and talented specifically for the engineering profession, and we have a shortage of engineers in Sweden.

Therefore, it is important that young girls also feel that this is a profession for them.

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Ann-Charlotte Hammar Johnsson (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Lotta Edholm.

On the Skolverket website, the following is stated: "The grade shall reflect the quality of the student's knowledge at the time of the grading."

But when I meet parents and students in our municipal schools, they testify that Noa, Hugo, Elsa and Alma are told in grade assessments that they do not receive the grade they have worked for. The justification may be that one is afraid that the student will not maintain the grade. It can also be about receiving the first grade and gradually working their way up.

These are not criteria that exist. We know that teachers move, that students change schools, that teachers get sick, that substitutes come who do not change grades, and so on.

My question is what the government is doing to ensure that students receive fair grades.

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Statsrådet Lotta Edholm (L)

Mr. Speaker! The question shows how important it is to change the Swedish grading system, I think, and we will receive a grading investigation in a few weeks.

It is important that grading is seen as the exercise of public authority that it actually is, and that teachers, schools, and principals also see it in that way and follow the legislation and the regulatory framework that exists for grading.

With that said, I look forward to receiving an investigation that completely overhauls the Swedish grading system.

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Laila Naraghi (S)

Mr. Speaker! The number of bankruptcies increased sharply in the construction industry in 2024. It was over 2,000 construction companies that went bankrupt across the country. There are now over 12,000 unemployed construction workers in Byggnads a-kassa. We also know that there are many more unemployed construction workers beyond them. It is about several thousand, and behind the figures are people of flesh and blood who have lost their jobs and their income.

This hits hard on individual people - economically, personally and on many other levels. We know what unemployment means. It restricts people's freedom and life opportunities, and it affects the children and families of those affected.

Until now, the government has done nothing. Kristersson and his ministers do not seem to care. We Social Democrats stand on the side of the construction workers. It is high time for the government to realize the seriousness of the wave of bankruptcies.

My question to Minister Carlson is what urgent measures the government will take to stop the wave of bankruptcies in the construction industry and the high unemployment. It is urgent!

(Applause)

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Laila Naraghi for the question, which is very pressing. The situation is very tough for those who have lost their jobs, risk losing their jobs and are laid off, and companies are having a very tough time. Several have gone into bankruptcy, as the member pointed out.

The government takes measures, among other things, by combating inflation. It is the cause of exactly what the member is raising. It is about the recession we are still in and about the period we have behind us with high inflation, which has driven up interest rates. It has caused production and financing costs to increase.

If one does not combat the underlying problem, one also cannot solve the situation that the member of Parliament raises. Furthermore, the problem has been exacerbated by the fact that for a long time there has been a lack of structural reforms to achieve a better functioning market. The government is also taking action with full force to increase housing construction and so that the country can emerge from the crisis. We see a brightening now, but it is still a very tough situation.

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Angelika Bengtsson (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Jakob Forssmed has recently expressed his and the government's concern regarding children who choose to focus on elite sports.

We see a trend where fewer are investing in elite sports. This means that in the future we will have fewer elite athletes to cheer for if this is not changed. Given that sports are becoming increasingly technical, it is required that one dares to invest at an elite level early to have a chance to be selected for international championships and compete on the same level. At the same time, we have a government that encourages further studies in, for example, mathematics for gifted children.

Why does the Minister choose to actively counteract responsible elite investments within sports?

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I believe that the most important thing if one is to have a good elite activity is a large selection and many who stay involved for a long time. There is strong research evidence for exactly this. It was 17 researchers who wrote that one should not engage in early peaking and selection. But in some sports, we see that people believe they can select the future elite players as early as they are 7-8 years old. There is very little evidence in the research that it works. Furthermore, it risks leading to the elimination of children who could find community, identity, and belonging in the sport and get the chance to continue for a long time. But when their teams are broken up, they lose the spark. We also risk losing future elite [talent] along the way.

The Government has told the Swedish Sports Confederation that we want to see how they are working against early peaking and selection. Elite activities have their place, but not among 7-8-year-olds, but at older ages.

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Merit Frost Lindberg (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is to Minister for Equality Paulina Brandberg.

Honor violence and honor oppression are among the absolute most serious forms of oppression. Therefore, I am relieved and proud that the Moderate-led government has clearly shown that it takes this issue most seriously through a number of legislative changes and also now through its own sub-objective.

At the same time, we see that there are major deficiencies in the municipalities' work. We have even received reports showing that there is staff in the preschool who, due to their own values in their profession, support honor violence and honor oppression.

My question is what can be done to ensure that the government's clear line to strongly counter and combat honor-based violence is implemented and followed in all parts of our society, not least within social services, school and preschool.

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Statsrådet Paulina Brandberg (L)

Mr. Speaker! I completely share the picture the member paints of the deficiencies that exist. As I said in a previous answer, the deficiencies can consist of ignorance and anxiety but also in that staff uphold honor norms that prevent the school or the preschool from becoming a zone free from oppression for this vulnerable group. So we cannot have that.

We are ramping up the work on several fronts, including through a new gender equality policy sub-goal to make this oppression visible. Special measures are needed that address exactly this issue. It is something else entirely than men's violence against women and violence in close relationships. We need to make visible that we do not stand for, for example, that boys and girls are not allowed to play with each other during recess. It is part of the problem.

We will continue to work with these measures, not least when it comes to the school.

Question time was hereby concluded.

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