Contributions
1,193 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDInfected Blood Inquiry: Government ResponseI thank my noble friend for his question and for the work that he did as part of the expert group. The Government will not be satisfied with the speed of payments until every…21 May 2025HANSARDInfected Blood Inquiry: Government ResponseI thank my noble friend. The money was allocated only last week, I think; I will correct the record if I am wrong. We are working with the charities now to see which of them will…21 May 2025HANSARDInfected Blood Inquiry: Government ResponseThe noble Lord rightly highlights the work of Sir Brian Langstaff. If we consider the subject matter that he has been exploring and the trust that he has managed to instil within…21 May 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentI thank my noble friend for her question. I want to make it very clear that I am in awe of anybody who puts on a uniform and runs towards danger; that is why we have to look after…21 May 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentWe did; noble Lords have discussed this in your Lordships’ House many times. However, since July, we have taken decisive measures on both recruitment and retention. On the recent…21 May 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentThe noble Lord makes an important point; I will pass his views on to the Minister and report back.21 May 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentI thank the noble and gallant Lord for his service and for holding the Government to account on this. The new contract is an important and significant change in the recruitment…21 May 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentMy Lords, one of the themes of the strategic defence review is to explore the approach to recruiting, educating, training and retaining the people needed for “one defence”. This…21 May 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentI thank my noble friend not just for the question but for his incredible service. He highlights exactly what he did to keep our country safe and why people want to join our Armed…21 May 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentJust for my noble friend: HMS “Glasgow”, a new Type 26 will officially enter the Royal Navy tomorrow. On the specifics of his question, I will have to revert on some details but…21 May 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentI thank the noble Baroness. At the heart of the contract is making sure there is one clear oversight to ensure of where we have missing skills. So, if a recruit says, “I want to…21 May 2025HANSARDArmed Forces RecruitmentThe noble and gallant Lord makes an excellent point regarding the strength and capacity of our reserves. They are a core part of our Armed Forces and it is vital that they are…21 May 2025HANSARDIndependent Commission for Reconciliation and Information RecoveryMy Lords, under the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, the commission is responsible for Troubles-related investigations for the period 1966 to 1998.…21 May 2025HANSARDIndependent Commission for Reconciliation and Information RecoveryMy Lords, the noble Lord will be aware that I cannot comment on anything to do with the archive. As to the matter he raises, it is currently a matter of ongoing court proceedings.21 May 2025HANSARDIndependent Commission for Reconciliation and Information RecoveryMy noble friend, as ever, makes a series of excellent points. He is absolutely right. He knows better than I do, as he served our country in government in numerous roles at…21 May 2025HANSARDIndependent Commission for Reconciliation and Information RecoveryThe noble Lord served for many years in the other place and will be very aware that I cannot comment on ongoing court proceedings, but he does raise a very important case—that of…21 May 2025HANSARDIndependent Commission for Reconciliation and Information RecoveryMy Lords, with Stormont up and running, how finances are allocated and spent is a matter for it. That includes the PSNI budget. The noble Baroness will be aware that at the…21 May 2025HANSARDIndependent Commission for Reconciliation and Information RecoveryThe noble Baroness raises a really important point that I know is of huge concern to the veterans community, both those who served in Operation Banner and more broadly. With…21 May 2025HANSARDIndependent Commission for Reconciliation and Information RecoveryThe noble Baroness is absolutely right. Everything in the delivery of the Belfast/Good Friday agreement and the ongoing peace in Northern Ireland is about trust and bringing…21 May 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) BillMy Lords, I am proud to bring this Bill to your Lordships’ House with my noble friend Lady Sherlock. I am grateful for the engagement that we have had with noble Lords on the Bill…15 May 2025