HL Deb 05 December 2001 vol 629 c137WA
Baroness Ludford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress they have made in resolving the problems experienced by schoolchildren attending the Holy Cross School in Northern Ireland. [HL1489]

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

The Government condemn the appalling scenes witnessed during the course of the Holy Cross protest. There is no justification for preventing young children and infants from attending school. These children are the victims of the inability of adults from both communities in Northern Ireland to live together in peace. The Government, working alongside officials from the Devolved Administration, have facilitated dialogue between both sides. We welcome the recent decision by the residents to end their protest and the restarting of direct dialogue between the parents and residents. The Government hope that now the children will be able to continue with their education without fear or threat of intimidation.