Northern Ireland Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) plans: Government says parents can teach 'relationship values' to children at home

Mr Largan, an assistant Tory whip, reiterated the Secretary of State's line that educating children on using contraception and access to abortion in NI "should be done in a factual way that does not advocate or oppose a particular view on the moral and ethical considerations".

In June Mr Heaton-Harris announced he was compeling the Department of Education to roll out compulsoryRelationship and Sex Education (RSE) plans for all post-primary schools in NI based on recommendations for the Province from a New York based committee of the UN.

In a commons debate on Tuesday night, sponsored by Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart, a range of DUP and Tory MPs challenged the plans with a long list of concerns. No MPs spoke in support of the plans.

However the Government spokesman did not concede any points.

DUP MP Ian Paisley told Mr Largan that “the mechanics of teaching sex.. are one thing” but that “going through life, as we all know, is about one thing: relationships”.

He added: "Can the Minister give us an assurance that values will be allowed to be kept [in RSE], so that at the centre of all our relationships we have value?"

But Mr Largan said RSE must be "done in a factual way".

He added: “But that does not exclude parents being able to teach those values to their children, which surely would be the most primary thing when it comes to this.”

MPs objected that the parental opt-out being consulted on would only apply to lessons on contraception and abortion and not the wider topics - which the Department of Education has confirmed.

And Ms Lockhart expressed concern that RSE resources in England already teach girls how to access abortion without parental knowledge or consent.

MPs criticised the plans for explicitly excluding any discussions about faith or ethics from class discussions - contrary to the law in England.

And Tory MP Miriam Cates suggested it was "absurd" to push the plans through while an inquiry launched by the Prime Minister is ongoing into graphic resources in English RSE classes.

Ms Lockhart also expressed concerns about "the long-term agenda" of the UNESCO based 'RSE progression framework' in NI.

Mr Largan acknowledged the regulations adopted in full recommendations for NI from a UN committee. However he said their authority came from them being passed by "an overwhelming majority of MPs in a free vote".

Fiona Bruce MP suggested there was "minimal opportunity for debate and confusion" about the vote - but Mr Largan responded that it took place before he became an MP.

He added: "It is widely acknowledged that there is a problem with how sexual education is being taught in schools in Northern Ireland. Indeed, a recent report from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission recommended that a standard level of RSE throughout all schools be introduced."

The possibility of teachers opting out is a matter for the Department of Education in NI, he added.