Contributions
242 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAfghanistan: Humanitarian CrisisMy Lords, could the Minister say what discussions, if any, are being held or planned with the authorities in Kabul and at provincial level to assist in the distribution of…13 Jan 2022HANSARDLegislation: Skeleton Bills and Delegated PowersMy Lords, the following blunt phrases crop up repeatedly in the authoritative committee reports Democracy Denied? and Government by Diktat : “a critical moment has been reached ……06 Jan 2022HANSARDFreedom of SpeechMy Lords, we all agree that free speech is one of the most important of our individual rights and, some would argue, the cornerstone of democracy. However, it is increasingly…10 Dec 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) Bill [HL]My Lords, this House, including many of our greatly valued hereditary Peers, has endorsed this Bill in its many incarnations. The House of Commons is in agreement and public…03 Dec 2021HANSARDAfghanistanMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Roberts of Llandudno, for securing this debate. I declare an interest as co-founder of the school in Kabul. Afghanistan has been a heavily…02 Dec 2021HANSARDOperation Warm WelcomeMy Lords, the refugee burden on counties in the south-east of the UK is unfair. What incentives are being offered to families in other counties to open their doors to some of the…25 Nov 2021HANSARDChina: GenocideMy Lords, I, too, begin by paying personal tribute to the noble Lord, Lord Alton, for his courage, determination and persistence in confronting the appalling crime of genocide. We…25 Nov 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords: Appointments ProcessMy Lords, the Government cannot be unaware of the public disquiet about the current mechanisms for appointments to this House and their impact on its reputation. The power of…18 Nov 2021HANSARDAfghanistan: Food ShortagesI thank the Minister for his Answer. It is agreed generally that there is no time now to use food or indeed money as bargaining tools. The severe food shortage in Afghanistan has…09 Nov 2021HANSARDAfghanistan: Food ShortagesTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they are having with the Government of Afghanistan regarding food shortages and what assistance they are providing civilians in…09 Nov 2021HANSARDAfghanistan: Food ShortagesI beg leave to ask a Question of which I have given private notice. In doing so, I declare an interest as the co-founder of a school for girls in Kabul, more than 20 years ago. I…09 Nov 2021HANSARDOverseas Development Aid: BudgetMy Lords, I, too, thank the noble Baroness, Lady Ritchie, for introducing this important topic. The drop in the money available for ODA, together with the IMF special drawing…27 Oct 2021HANSARDAssisted Dying Bill [HL]My Lords, noble Lords have had many heartrending letters expressing the pain and indignity at the end of life. Equally, we have had letters expressing the fear that passing this…22 Oct 2021HANSARDRegulation of Investigatory Powers (Criminal Conduct Authorisations) (Amendment) Order 2021That this House regrets that the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Criminal Conduct Authorisations) (Amendment) Order 2021 (SI 2021/601) does not provide adequate safeguards on…12 Oct 2021HANSARDRegulation of Investigatory Powers (Criminal Conduct Authorisations) (Amendment) Order 2021My Lords, I thank the Minister and all those who have contributed to this debate warmly for their response. I had not expected there to be a Damascene conversion in the past 30…12 Oct 2021HANSARDRegulation of Investigatory Powers (Criminal Conduct Authorisations) (Amendment) Order 2021My Lords, I am very grateful that some noble Lords are still here. That is very nice. I make no apologies for returning to the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct)…12 Oct 2021HANSARDAfghan Relocations and Assistance PolicyTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking through the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy to support (1) individuals, and (2) groups, working on Official…15 Sept 2021HANSARDAfghan Relocations and Assistance PolicyI thank the Minister. What precise assessment has the FCDO made of the number of affiliated academics and/or researchers currently in hiding? What on-the-ground assistance can be…15 Sept 2021HANSARDPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts BillMy Lords, this is a big and important Bill with much to commend it but, regrettably, also some ambiguous provisions that will undoubtedly infringe civil liberties. While there are…14 Sept 2021HANSARDStandards in Public LifeMy Lords, in the UK, where governance relies heavily on conventions, there is always the danger that these conventions are ignored or significantly tailored to fit the current…09 Sept 2021