"My Lords, I join others in welcoming the first stage of this very important report into an appalling scandal which has blighted so many lives and which we know has, sadly, actually cost lives as well. Sometimes we are faced with a scandal, such as we debated yesterday, that has …..." Lord Weir of Ballyholme - View Speech
"My Lords, I welcome the Statement. The Government are right to identify education as being the great life changer for many young people. It is right to place emphasis on the power of development through reading and to focus on early intervention. It is often the case—sometimes Governments can be …..." Lord Weir of Ballyholme - View Speech
"My Lords, like others, I had not really intended to speak in this debate, but unfortunately, I have listened at times—while I respect other views—with incredulity at some of the remarks that have been made. This House rightly has a reputation for a wide range of expertise on almost every …..." Lord Weir of Ballyholme - View Speech
"My Lords, I apologise to the Minister in advance that I will be inflicting a little bit more pain on her. But where else would any of us prefer to be on a Monday night other than in here debating issues such as this?
"My Lords, I join the joyful congratulations to the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Prentis, on her maiden speech, and perhaps sadder congratulations to the noble Lord, Lord Boswell, on his valedictory speech.
"My Lords, I support the group of amendments before us, which are well judged. I appreciate that they are essentially probing in nature, but I will make a couple of brief observations.
First, the amendments are important because they focus our minds on long-term strategy. It is often the complaint …..." Lord Weir of Ballyholme - View Speech
"My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Booth, for securing this debate. I say as an aside to his opening remarks that if the most common British response is, “I feel fine”, the greatest fear any British person has is of asking someone how they feel and actually getting …..." Lord Weir of Ballyholme - View Speech
"My Lords, I join others in commending the efforts and the bravery of the police and the other emergency services in dealing with the appalling situation of the last 48 hours. I unreservedly and unequivocally condemn the violence that has taken place in Ballymena. Whatever the underlying issues in Ballymena, …..." Lord Weir of Ballyholme - View Speech
"My Lords, from that point of view, I had not originally intended to speak, but I suspect I may be the last Back-Bench contributor. In the true spirit of equality, it may be useful if I can make a few comments in relation to that. I am sure that the …..." Lord Weir of Ballyholme - View Speech
"My Lords, I join others in apologising for not being here at Second Reading—on medical grounds, in my case—which seems to be a consistent theme in this debate. In looking at the amendment and legislation today, it is important that we actually focus on what is there rather than debating—I …..." Lord Weir of Ballyholme - View Speech