Contributions
1,962 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWelfare of Domestic AnimalsThe noble Lord asks a really important question around enforcement. As I have said more than once in this House, what is the point of having laws if they are not enforced? Local…04 Dec 2025HANSARDWelfare of Domestic AnimalsAs I mentioned earlier, we are considering all the evidence around this. It is something that we want to consider how to bring forward. As the noble Lord and others have said, we…04 Dec 2025HANSARDWelfare of Domestic AnimalsMy Lords, the Government remain committed to improving the welfare of domestic animals. We are considering the available evidence around hand-controlled electronic collars and…04 Dec 2025HANSARDWelfare of Domestic AnimalsThe noble Lord is absolutely right that I have been supporting this for some time, and that seven years is an awfully long time. That is why, when I came into my position as…04 Dec 2025HANSARDWelfare of Domestic AnimalsI think the noble Lord is probably aware that there are an awful lot of popular policies that everybody would like to see put forward immediately, which is why I wanted to spend…04 Dec 2025HANSARDWelfare of Domestic AnimalsAs I said, when I came into my role as Animal Welfare Minister, I asked for a list of animal welfare legislation and consultations, and all sorts of other things that had been…04 Dec 2025HANSARDWelfare of Domestic AnimalsThe noble Lord is absolutely right to raise this issue. As he said, there has been quite a lot of interest and work done on dogs in this area. As a result of the concerns that…04 Dec 2025HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) BillMy Lords, I am very pleased to be able to speak at the Third Reading of this Private Member’s Bill. Ending puppy smuggling was a government manifesto commitment, and we have been…21 Nov 2025HANSARDEnvironmental Protection (Wet Wipes Containing Plastic) (England) Regulations 2025That the draft Regulations laid before the House on 16 September be approved. Relevant document: 37th Report from the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee. Considered in Grand…17 Nov 2025HANSARDBiodiversity and the CountrysideMy Lords, I start by thanking the noble Lord, Lord Grayling, for tabling today’s debate. It has been a very interesting debate, and I thank everyone for their contributions. I…13 Nov 2025HANSARDRiver PollutionI am afraid that I do not have any information on when it will meet again. However, I am more than happy to pass on the noble Earl’s suggestion and concerns to the new Secretary…10 Nov 2025HANSARDEnvironmental Protection (Wet Wipes Containing Plastic) (England) Regulations 2025That the Grand Committee do consider the Environmental Protection (Wet Wipes Containing Plastic) (England) Regulations 2025. Relevant document: 37th Report from the Secondary…10 Nov 2025HANSARDRiver PollutionI can give my noble friend an update on where we are on Camber Sands and Southern Water at the moment. The pollution incident is really worrying, and it is disappointing that it…10 Nov 2025HANSARDRiver PollutionThe noble Baroness is aware that the Cunliffe review made a number of recommendations, and we are acting very quickly on nine of them. She will also be aware that it is our…10 Nov 2025HANSARDRiver PollutionOn agricultural run-off pollution specifically, which the noble Baroness asked about, we are doubling the funding to the Environment Agency farm inspections and regulatory…10 Nov 2025HANSARDRiver PollutionMy Lords, cleaning up our rivers is a top priority. To tackle agricultural pollution, we are increasing regulatory compliance, reforming environmental land management schemes to…10 Nov 2025HANSARDRiver PollutionAs part of dealing with any major area that requires investment and funding, we will of course consider how private investment can support what the Government are trying to…10 Nov 2025HANSARDRiver PollutionClearly, it is important that we do not have litter blowing into our rivers, causing further damage and pollution, or litter generally, not just going into the watercourses. The…10 Nov 2025HANSARDRiver PollutionClearly, I cannot comment on a specific case. It is important that, when planning applications are put forward, they are properly considered in the context of pollution.10 Nov 2025HANSARDEnvironmental Protection (Wet Wipes Containing Plastic) (England) Regulations 2025My Lords, these draft regulations were laid before the House on 16 September. I welcome the chance to set out the action that this Government and the devolved Governments are…10 Nov 2025