YOUNGSTERS from the Nottingham Academy got the chance to grill the Speaker of the House of Commons yesterday.

John Bercow visited the Council House to talk to schoolchildren and members of the voluntary and community sector about how to get involved in democracy.

Pupils from the Nottingham Academy, which is based in Sneinton and Mapperley, also asked him questions.

Pupil Mahalia Powell asked Mr Bercow what had been the most difficult Commons debate to chair.

He said: "I think the hardest was last December when there was a debate on whether to increase university tuition fees. The subject inflamed passions on both sides of the argument."

Pupil Matthew Strong asked about the tuition fee rise.

Mr Bercow said his role meant he could not have a view but he said he understood why students may feel anxious.

He said he went to university with a grant because his father's business was struggling and his family were not "monied."

He said: "Whether I would have gone to university if I had known I would end up with a very large debt at the end of it, I'm not so sure to be honest.

"I still would have probably wanted to go to university and still would have gone, but my parents who were very debt adverse would have been horrified for me."

Mr Bercow told year nine pupil Idris Nigeria, a member of the school's Student Voice group, that he too had tried to represent his peers.

He said: "I stood for election at primary school and said I would improve school dinners. It didn't make me popular with the dinner ladies.

"I did get experience of speaking in public and that I think is very valuable in terms of self confidence for a person," he added.

The Speaker said it was vital people engaged with their MPs and raised issues of concern in their area.

He said: "Your first port of call has got to be your Member of Parliament. We are paid and expect to serve you."

Mr Bercow also said people with specialist knowledge in areas such as mental health services could have the opportunity to share their expertise with committees.

His visit, organised by Nottingham's Bright Ideas which tries to improve access to services, aimed to help people engage with politics.

Nottingham South Labour MP Lilian Greenwood also answered questions.

Carole Powell, 47, a volunteer for the Hyson Green-based On The Flats project, run by the Partnership Council, said: " I now know who to contact and how, when I didn't before."