Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill

My Lords, unfortunately the noble Viscount, Lord Eccles, is not in his place, but I assure him that I learnt that brevity is the soul of wit the hard way in your Lordships’ House. The first question I asked, nearly 18 years ago, was shouted down by the Conservative Government of the time as "making a speech". I was then severely ticked off by the noble Earl, Lord Ferrers. So I learnt in those days that to keep things short was preferable. I only wish that some of your Lordships would also learn that lesson.