Contributions
276 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDisruption at HeathrowMy Lords, I shall try once more. I am rather tired because I, too, was very badly directly affected by this incident. The incident itself was deeply unfortunate, but one key issue…25 Mar 2025HANSARDMental Health Bill [HL]At the risk of giving the Minister a rather hard time on his first outing in Committee, on the point made by the noble Baroness, Lady Fox, about people saying that it will not…27 Jan 2025HANSARDMental Health Bill [HL]My Lords, perhaps I may quote from our report on the draft Mental Health Bill on this point, while agreeing 100% with both previous speakers. During our evidence sessions, we…27 Jan 2025HANSARDMental Health Bill [HL]My Lords, I want to add to what the noble Baroness just said. Amendment 139 goes to the heart of the Bill in terms of changing the culture and the way that we treat people. The…20 Jan 2025HANSARDMental Health Bill [HL]My Lords, this is an area where I feel I have the possibility of a solution or part of a solution, while supporting very much what my noble friend has put forward in her…20 Jan 2025HANSARDMental Health Bill [HL]My Lords, it gives me enormous pleasure to speak in this debate. For me, this legislation is above politics: it is a real opportunity for constructive opposition. I welcomed the…25 Nov 2024HANSARDHouse of Lords ReformMy Lords, I recall a few years ago being asked by a senior member of the Royal Family for my view on the continued presence in our House of hereditary Peers. I replied, “Your…12 Nov 2024HANSARDDefence SpendingI am sorry to interrupt, but is that review independent of the MoD?31 Oct 2024HANSARDDefence SpendingMy Lords, I am pleased to have this brief opportunity to speak of the road map to spending 2.5% of our GDP on defence, particularly given that I was unwell and therefore unable to…31 Oct 2024HANSARDCarer’s AllowanceNo, I am sorry, I am talking about those who should not receive. I did not say “carers”; I am saying those who should not be in receipt of benefits.21 May 2024HANSARDCarer’s AllowanceMy Lords, I have great sympathy with what the noble Baroness, Lady Sherlock, has said in terms of communication. Every department can always do better in that and use every form…21 May 2024HANSARDArmed Forces (Court Martial) (Amendment) Rules 2024My Lords, I respond to the regulations by saying that I very much support the proposals. I do so having compared the process for court martial with that for discharge from the…20 May 2024HANSARDPersonal Independence PaymentsMy Lords, only yesterday in Grand Committee, my noble friend the Minister stated that the DWP is forecast to pay out nearly £300 billion in benefits by 2024-25, a sum which is…23 Apr 2024HANSARDData Protection and Digital Information BillI am sure my noble friend the Minister can talk about the particular timing of why it went into this Bill. Certainly in my time at DWP, the difficulty we had was finding the right…22 Apr 2024HANSARDData Protection and Digital Information BillIt is important that my noble friend answers that question. The point is that if we find—I am sorry, I still speak as if I am involved with it, which I am not, but I promise noble…22 Apr 2024HANSARDData Protection and Digital Information BillI am sorry; I have spent a lot of time listening to others, and a lot of it has been slightly interesting to listen to, I have to say. The measure will not enable the DWP to…22 Apr 2024HANSARDData Protection and Digital Information BillI thank my noble friend very much for all the explanation that he has given thus far. I just want to add a word that has not been mentioned: deterrent. One of the reasons why the…22 Apr 2024HANSARDData Protection and Digital Information BillMy Lords, I speak as someone who was a Minister at the Department for Work and Pensions back in 2017. I well remember, when I was in charge of fraud and benefit, when we had a new…22 Apr 2024HANSARDData Protection and Digital Information BillWhen the noble Baroness says, “more targeted”, is what way are they more targeted? That is what I would like to know.22 Apr 2024HANSARDData Protection and Digital Information BillNo. With respect, I am talking about Justice, which I think referenced 40 organisations. There was no list of what those organisations are in the information it sent me. There is…22 Apr 2024