uuptoday.org

In a speech last night on a debate following the Queen’s speech in the House of Lords, Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Rogan decried the government’s poor compensation for retired injured and currently serving soldiers and was affronted that soldiers were having to seek additional insurance, paid out of their own pockets, to ensure they and their families are properly covered.

Lord Rogan said,

“Our Armed Forces have been and continue to be a source of national pride. They remind us, and society in general, of the enduring importance of character and duty. We owe much to and indeed expect much from the men and women who voluntarily endanger life and limb for the nation’s benefit. Much has been said today about how the Government fail to reciprocate the faith which servicemen place in them, sentiments with which I wholeheartedly agree. It is to our eternal shame that we fail properly to equip, train and support our Armed Forces. Further, for the Government to break the military covenant reflects poorly on our Ministers.

There have been more than a few disturbing instances of troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan being denied the means by which to fulfill their duties effectively. If that was not sufficient dereliction of duty on the Government’s behalf, it has also emerged that not only do troops feel obliged to take out private insurance to top up the meagre compensation offered by the Ministry of Defence in the event of injury or death—or even to cover the loss of kit, an affront in itself—but those insurance premiums are now expected to increase by some 160 per cent. Such fast and loose treatment of those who put themselves forward in the line of fire for our country should burn the conscience of Ministers.

At a time when our military resources are stretched and when uncertainty abounds in various theatres, it is beholden upon the Government to ensure that the Armed Forces have the manpower to undertake all that they lay at their door. This requires practical measures to underpin the service personnel’s confidence that the nation will protect their interests. At present the government is doing little to instill that confidence.”

Ulster Unionists in the House of Lords have tabled what they have described as a “potentially fatal amendment” to the motion on the draft Education Order.

The full text of the reasoned amendment, which was submitted on Tuesday, reads: ‘The Lord Rogan—To move, as an amendment to the above motion, to leave out all the words after “That” and insert “this House declines to approve the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 until the people of Northern Ireland have been given the opportunity to approve the proposals contained therein in a manner analogous to the procedures followed in regard to similar proposed changes in England’.

The Lords debate is scheduled to take place on Monday.

In a statement, Lord Rogan of Lower Iveagh said: “We have tabled what is potentially a fatal amendment to the government’s motion. The reasoned amendment we are putting down focuses on the lack of basic democratic rights.

“For example, in England no grammar school can be closed unless a local referendum takes place. I see no reason why Northern Ireland, as an integral part of the United Kingdom, should not enjoy similar rights.

“Education related to ability should be retained and where it is at risk, local parents should – as in England - be consulted and a vote taken. We feel that government ought to apply these principles in Northern Ireland.”

He added: “There is a yawning gap in accountability. Not only is the Order in Council system totally lacking in democratic merit, but the Order itself is being forced through by a governing party which no one in Northern Ireland has endorsed at election.

“The government reforms have consistently failed the test of public opinion. In the Household Survey element to the Burns Report, 64% of parents, and 62% of teachers, opposed the reform proposals and opinion has hardened since then. The consultation on post-primary arrangements had 14,000 respondents - 90% of which contained objections. Other opinion polling has told a similar story.

“Therefore, the UUP amendment gives primacy to the wishes of the electors and sets about restoring local accountability.”

Concluding, he said: “Failure of this system in England is recognised as having cost pupils from socially deprived backgrounds the chance of greater social mobility.

“We are actively canvassing colleagues for support for this reasoned amendment.”