May 2008 ceremony

Captions to pictures of the ceremony, with links to high resolution photos.

Westminster, Thursday, 8 May 2008 - Lord Tebbit presented the Robin McNair Prize awards in the Houses of Parliament today. Student-contestants wrote essays on bioethical issues including abortion, cloning and the rights of the disabled.

The Robin McNair Prize commemorates one of Britain's leading fighter pilots in the second world war. After the war, Squadron Leader McNair fought for the rights of the unborn through his membership of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). The competition is jointly sponsored by the SPUC Education and Research Trust and the McNair family.

Young prizewinners and others pictured at the McNair awards. From left to right: Mr Tony Kieran, chairman of the SPUC Education and Research Trust, Tanya Stockting, Patrick McNair, Mr Duncan McNair, Sarah Appleton, Lord Tebbit, Thomas Woloshyn, Miriam Cantwell and John Smeaton, SPUC national director.

Lord Tebbit spoke about his political career during which he had sometimes had to take a stand on controversial issues. He was gravely concerned about moral relativism in public life. The House of Lords had debated the Human Fertilisation and Embryology bill fully and well, but he feared that the Commons would rush it through. It was important to keep defending matters of principle because, where some led, others would follow. He praised the winning essays. The authors had plainly grappled with the issues at stake.

John Smeaton, SPUC's national director, praised Lord Tebbit for voting with the pro-life lobby on 25 occasions since entering Parliament in 1990 and for his contribution to the parliamentary debate on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology bill. Not only had Lord Tebbit pressed ministers to define hybrid embryos, he had stood up to the IVF "technologists", such as Lord Winston, insisting that, on the moral use of technology, every Member of the House of Lords has an equal standing in expressing a view.

John Smeaton said that the bill further undermines the status of the human embryo and breaches international conventions upholding the right to life of all members of the human family. One of the clauses of the bill allows embryos to be used for training purposes.

The winning essays, which were of high quality, had shown a range of views on their subjects. In recalling Squadron Leader McNair, John Smeaton spoke of G K Chesterton's description of his brother who had "the courage of the forum and of the field." A war-hero, Robin McNair had also defended the unborn in the public sphere. Lord Tebbit, who was presenting the prizes, shared those same qualities - showing valour as an RAF pilot and telling the truth in politics.

Mr Duncan McNair, youngest son of Squadron Leader McNair, pointed out that this was the eighth year in which the prize had been awarded. There had been a record number of entrants in the 2007 competition. His father had been among those who had campaigned against the passage of the 1967 Abortion Act. Squadron Leader McNair had also worked to help displaced persons and other members of society who had suffered. Although a military man, he showed compassion.

Mr Duncan McNair feared a new dark age in which human life was increasingly at risk. Also praising the successful entries, he said that, with talent, also came the responsibility to ensure that these issues were debated and understood. He wished the prizewinners every success in life.

The 2006 competition was won by Mr Thomas Woloshyn, 19, a student at Magdalen College, Oxford, formerly of Eton College, Berkshire. His essay was entitled "Discuss whether you think that abortion is an acceptable option in an unplanned pregnancy." Mr Woloshyn's family-home is in Chelsea, London. He was accompanied to the ceremony by Rev Dr Nicholas Heap of Eton College, Mr William Birch-Reynardson, an old Etonian and former McNair Prize winner, and Mr Sebastian Flick, also a former pupil.

Second prize went to Miss Lauren Evans, 19, of St Helen and St Katharine's School, Abingdon, Oxfordshire. She wrote on: "Do you think that girls under 16 should be able to have an abortion without their parents' consent? Discuss." She was represented at the ceremony by Mr Jonathan Herapath of St Helen and St Katharine's School.

Miss Miriam Cantwell, 21, a student of English at Cambridge university, formerly of Dame Allan's School, Newcastle upon Tyne, came third, writing on "Discuss whether you think that abortion is an acceptable option in an unplanned pregnancy." Mrs Anna Cantwell, her mother, also attended the event.

The 2007 competition was won by Miss Sarah Appleton, 19, a first-year medical student at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, formerly of Chester Catholic High School, who wrote on: "How does cloning human embryos affect the preciousness of life?" She was accompanied by Mr Francis and Mrs Susan Appleton, her parents, and by Mrs Anne-Marie Appleton (no relation) of Chester Catholic High School.

Second in 2007 was Miss Tanya Stockting, 17, a sixth former at St Augustine's Catholic College, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, formerly at St Alban's RC High School, Pontypool, Gwent, whose essay was on "The rights of disabled people and the preciousness of human life." With her were Mr Paul and Mrs Cindy Stockting. Miss Stockting is doing arts A-levels and hopes to study music or special needs at university.

Third came Mr Patrick McNair, 19, a student of philosophy and theology at King's College, London, formerly of Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, London, who wrote on "The disabled: the real heroes of life." Mr Neil and Mrs Patricia McNair also attended with Mr Patrick Fleischer of Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School. Mr Patrick McNair is a grandson of Squadron Leader Robin McNair.

The first prizes were of £250, second prizes £150 and third prizes £100. Each of the winners' schools received a similar sum to the amount that the students won. It is to be used for educational purposes.