Contributions
143 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRail Dispute: Michael Ford QCMy Lords—29 Jun 2022HANSARDRail Dispute: Michael Ford QCThank you. My Lords, does my noble friend the Minister agree that these rail disputes are less about terms and conditions, and more about party politics?29 Jun 2022HANSARDCovid-19 and the Use and Scrutiny of Emergency Powers (Constitution Committee Report)My Lords, the use of emergency powers is defined in the report as follows: “Emergency legislation may be necessary in exceptional circumstances, but its use should be limited…21 Jun 2022HANSARDCivil Servants: Reduction in NumbersMy Lords, the three bodies that have been mentioned—the Passport Office, DVLA and UK Visas and Immigration—all handle hard-copy sensitive documents. Therefore, on the point my…15 Jun 2022HANSARDPassport (Fees) Regulations 2022My Lords, I echo some of those points. I used the blue passport through an e-gate in Brussels, and it was fine. It depends on the type of technology and the gates they are using…23 May 2022HANSARDNorth East Ambulance ServiceMy Lords, this is not just about the ambulance service; it is about a culture that is endemic throughout the NHS. I have spent most of my life dealing with the aviation industry,…23 May 2022HANSARDQueen’s SpeechMy Lords, it is an honour to take part in this debate on the humble Address and, in addition, to welcome the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Guildford to this House today. I…11 May 2022HANSARDEnergy Security StrategyUkraine has certainly focused all our minds and minds in all countries, particularly across Europe. In particular I welcome the Government’s policy on expanding our nuclear energy…27 Apr 2022HANSARDEnergy Storage CapacityMy Lords, I think we all agree in this House that we need to generate enough energy to store in the first place. I understand that the Secretary of State has called for a review…05 Apr 2022HANSARDP&O FerriesMy Lords, as a former trade union negotiator, albeit in my past life and in the airline industry, there were times when we had to negotiate under the most difficult circumstances,…22 Mar 2022HANSARDShale Gas ProductionMy Lords, in 2014 Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the then NATO Secretary-General and former Prime Minister of Denmark, told a Chatham House meeting in London that Putin’s Government were…15 Mar 2022HANSARDUkrainian RefugeesMy Lords, the noble Lord opposite makes a valid point with regard to rail travel across Europe, but it is difficult to see how the British Government could secure the co-operation…15 Mar 2022HANSARDAirports Slot Allocation (Alleviation of Usage Requirements) Regulations 2022My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for his comprehensive update on the adjustment from 80:20 to 70:30. It is a reasonable and practical way forward. Could he also take…10 Mar 2022HANSARDAirports Slot Allocation (Alleviation of Usage Requirements) Regulations 2022Just before my noble friend’s final comments, can he address another point of concern that I made? Notwithstanding that some airlines such as those I outlined are still coming…10 Mar 2022HANSARDSanctionsMy Lords, as on other days, today we are witnessing acts of genocide and war crimes against the women and children of Ukraine, and we know that Putin’s ambitions will not stop…01 Mar 2022HANSARDRevised Energy National Policy StatementsMy Lords, black gold powered the industrial revolution. Where would we be today without it? Thank goodness the noble Baroness opposite, the noble Baroness, Lady Jones, was not…22 Feb 2022HANSARDRevised Energy National Policy StatementsI did not raise the issue of fracking necessarily as a short-term measure. With any energy, we know that it takes a long lead-in time to come to some sort of results. One of my…22 Feb 2022HANSARDCovid-19: LockdownsMy Lords, many decisions taken during this pandemic led to unintended consequences across the board. Apart from the devastating economic impact on business and industry, the…09 Feb 2022HANSARDMinisters: Overseas TravelMy Lords, first, I question the amount that was mooted in the press. Notwithstanding that, to wet-lease a long-haul commercial aircraft such as an Airbus A330 would cost…01 Feb 2022HANSARDFlags (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2021My Lords, I was not intending to speak in this debate, but I will say the following. A flag shows a nation state; the union flag represents all the countries in the United…25 Jan 2022