Contributions
2,365 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDirect Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) BillMy Lords, the gestation period of a cow is about 280 days. I make that reference not to remind your Lordships that my first degree was in agricultural science but to reflect on…29 Jan 2020HANSARDSocial MobilityMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Tyler, for this debate, and congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Choudrey, on his maiden speech. We are debating the 10 points made by the…29 Jan 2020HANSARDHigh Speed 2 (Economic Affairs Committee Report)My Lords, I am indebted to the noble Lord who drew attention to the Green Party’s position on HS2. I am sorry that he is not now in his place and will be reading my comments…23 Jan 2020HANSARDFisheries: EU Landing Obligation (European Union Committee Report)My Lords, I join others in welcoming the Minister to this House and look forward to working with him. When I started contemplating this debate, one phrase kept popping into my…23 Jan 2020HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillMy Lords, I express the Green group’s very strong disappointment about the decisions made earlier today in the other place. We sent them constructive amendments that aimed to…22 Jan 2020HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillMy Lords, I offer the Green group’s support for this amendment. Noble Lords will have noticed that your Lordships’ House is not quite as crowded as it was when we were debating…21 Jan 2020HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Callanan, in his arguments against Amendment 27, said that it would be easily overtaken by events. That provides a great argument for the removal of…15 Jan 2020HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillMy Lords, from comments I have made on other matters, your Lordships’ House will know that democracy is one of my pet concerns. When we are discussing this excellent amendment…15 Jan 2020HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Fox, used a few key words when he quoted from the respected committee. This is a regression. This is going backwards for the people of the United…15 Jan 2020HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillMy Lords, my noble friend Lady Jones was absolutely delighted to sign this amendment. I know that she, before I arrived in this House, did a great deal of work on many of the…15 Jan 2020HANSARDConstitution, Democracy and Rights Commission: Civil SocietyI thank the Minister for his Answer. On the question of the commission’s focus, the City of London Corporation enjoys many special privileges and perks in the UK constitution. For…14 Jan 2020HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillMy Lords, I support both these amendments. I will begin with the words of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Keen, from the end of our very long day yesterday: “EU citizens in the…14 Jan 2020HANSARDConstitution, Democracy and Rights Commission: Civil SocietyTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans the Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission has to engage with civil society.14 Jan 2020HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillMy Lords, I begin by thanking the noble Lord, Lord Callanan, who on Sunday night responded to my tweeted link to a preview of this debate—a rebuttal for those who would question…13 Jan 2020HANSARDMiddle East: Security UpdateMy Lords, now that the JCPOA—recklessly abandoned by the US President—hangs by a thread, does the Minister agree that the 2020 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference…07 Jan 2020HANSARDQueen’s SpeechMy Lords, I join other noble Lords in welcoming the maiden speech of the noble Baroness, Lady Ritchie. I also wish briefly to stress the importance of autonomy for the Department…07 Jan 2020HANSARDNational Biodiversity Network ReportMy Lords, the Minister referred to neonicotinoids. I am sure that he will be aware of the report from Japan in Science this week of the horrific effects documented there on the…04 Nov 2019HANSARDInternational Sustainability: Natural Resources and BiodiversityI entirely agree with everything the noble Lord just said. I think your Lordships’ are likely to hear me refer often to the importance of strong local economies in which a large…04 Nov 2019HANSARDInternational Sustainability: Natural Resources and BiodiversityMy Lords, I join many others in thanking the noble Baroness, Lady Jenkin, for arranging this crucial debate. Noble Lords may not be surprised that, as a member of the Green Party,…04 Nov 2019HANSARDGrenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 1 ReportMy Lords, I can begin only by repeating the sentiments that many noble Lords have expressed about the amazing, powerful work of Grenfell United, the victims, survivors and…31 Oct 2019