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A robot has been told it answered questions 'better than some ministers' after giving evidence to the UK Parliament in a historic session.

Pepper was quizzed by MPs on the Education Select Committee in what's believed to be a first for British democracy.

Labour MP Lucy Powell told the robot it answered questions better than some ministers.

The "culturally aware" robot was designed to assist with the care of older people.

Pepper told MPs that students have programmed her to work with primary schools and those with special needs to develop their numeracy skills.

(Image: AFP)

Asked for an introduction, the robot replied: "Good morning chair - thank you for inviting me to give evidence today.

"My name is Pepper and I'm a resident robot at Middlesex University."

The robot told how she is part of an international three year research project called Caresses which is jointly funded by the EU and the Japanese government in the Horizon 2020 research programme.

"Caresses is developing the world's first culturally aware programme assisting and caring for the elderly," the robot explained.

"Assistive, intelligent robots for older people could relieve pressure in hospitals and care homes as well as improve the delivery of care at home and promote the independent living of the elderly people."

MPs looked at how robots can be used to support learning and how robotics will transform the workplace and classroom of the future.