More than half of state-funded secondary schools "are either now full academies or en route to converting to academy status", Education Secretary Michael Gove has told the Commons.

At education questions on 16 April 2012, ministers at the Department for Education took questions on identifying failing schools for conversion to academies, improving the quality of teaching, and the number of young people taking part in apprenticeships.

Mr Gove also faced a plea from Peter Bone, the MP for Wellingborough, to move the Department for Education to his constituency to cut costs.

Mr Bone said the department employs more than 1,500 people in London, and occupies five buildings worth more than £33m.

He said: "If you relocated most of your work to Wellingborough, you would work in a friendly and pleasant town, you would save a small fortune in accommodation costs and yet you would only be 50 minutes from London. Why not take it up?"

To laughter from MPs in the Chamber, Mr Gove replied: "He makes a compelling case and I'll recommend that the permanent secretary investigates it closely."

After the question session, the new MP for Bradford West, George Galloway, took his seat in the House, swearing the customary oath of allegiance to the Queen.

Commons Speaker John Bercow also announced that the Commons' new security chief has been confirmed as Lawrence Ward.

Mr Ward has been acting Deputy Serjeant at Arms since Jill Pay quit the post last year.