Schools: Classics

Debate between Lord Nash and Lord Elystan-Morgan

Thursday 27th November 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Elystan-Morgan (CB)]

My Lords, is the Minister aware that some decades ago there was an authoritative study into some 2,000 words in ordinary parlance in the English language? Of those, about 75% were directly derived from Latin. A similar study in Wales in relation to the Welsh language found the figure to be of the order of 85%. I congratulate the Minister, therefore, on the approach that the Government are taking in looking at Latin not just as something belonging to a classical and distinguished past but as a building block from which so many modern languages are derived.

[Lord Nash]

I agree entirely with the noble Lord. I could not have put it better myself.

Adoption

Debate between Lord Nash and Lord Elystan-Morgan

Tuesday 18th November 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

I can assure the noble Baroness. I had a meeting yesterday with Sir Martin Narey and he is absolutely passionate about ensuring that all steps are in place to speed up adoption.

[Lord Elystan-Morgan]

Does the Minister agree that when a court is deciding on the question of adoption, it should make an adoption order only within the strict terms of the Adoption Act 1976? An adoption order should be made in the best interests of that child and most consistent with its welfare. Even though local authorities may be reluctant to have long-term, laborious care orders, those pressures should be resisted unless a compelling case is made out strictly in accordance with the wording of the statute.

[Lord Nash]

I agree entirely with my noble friend. Sir James Munby and the courts have been helpful in clarifying this recently.