Contributions
1,962 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHares: Close SeasonIn talking about fireworks, the noble Earl is talking about something that is in the gift of the Department for Business and Trade, because the selling of fireworks is a trade…24 Jun 2026HANSARDHares: Close SeasonMy Lords, the hare is a much-loved species in this country, and England is among the few European countries that do not have a close season on shooting hares during their breeding…24 Jun 2026HANSARDHares: Close SeasonI thank the noble Lord, who has raised this issue previously. The close season for hares is a separate issue from the problem of hare-coursing. Hare-coursing is an illegal…24 Jun 2026HANSARDHares: Close SeasonMy noble friend has allowed me to express my deep disappointment that the PMB on this, which was Defra’s priority PMB for this Session, was not picked up. I thank noble Lords who…24 Jun 2026HANSARDHares: Close SeasonAbsolutely, I can confirm that. The idea is to bring in a close season in line with those of other countries, not to stop control of hares absolutely.24 Jun 2026HANSARDHares: Close SeasonELMS and the sustainable farming work that we are doing are designed to increase biodiversity in habitats and to help support the kind of habitat that the noble Earl is talking…24 Jun 2026HANSARDHares: Close SeasonActs from the 19th century have their place in some areas of legislation, but I think in protecting hares, we need to look at the current situation. Populations would have been…24 Jun 2026HANSARDHares: Close SeasonI can assure my noble friend that I have gone back—not just on this but on other things—a number of times to see whether we can bring in legislation without it being primary, but…24 Jun 2026HANSARDLegal Protections for Ancient TreesThe noble Baroness is right that the shade provided by trees is important, not just for human health but for animal health, for livestock and so on. As I mentioned in my Answer to…23 Jun 2026HANSARDLegal Protections for Ancient TreesThe Forestry Commission reports to Defra, to my colleague Mary Creagh MP. I know that she has been working very hard to ensure that the kinds of issues my noble friend talks about…23 Jun 2026HANSARDLegal Protections for Ancient TreesThe tree action plan and the tree planting that Defra is encouraging are about commercial timber as well as woodland planting for leisure or other requirements. We import far too…23 Jun 2026HANSARDLegal Protections for Ancient TreesWe are looking at those exact protections as part of what we are doing to better protect trees going forward. As part of that, it is also important that we look at how, within the…23 Jun 2026HANSARDLegal Protections for Ancient TreesAs I mentioned previously, we are looking to bring out the new recommendations on trees by the end of the year. The review is really important. I think it is particularly…23 Jun 2026HANSARDLegal Protections for Ancient TreesThe noble Baroness makes a very important point, but I think one of the reasons that tree sadly died was because it was so very, very, very, very old. Trees do not live for ever,…23 Jun 2026HANSARDLegal Protections for Ancient TreesAs somebody who does not look at TikTok, I have absolutely no idea.23 Jun 2026HANSARDLegal Protections for Ancient TreesMy Lords, felling trees without a licence where one is required carries unlimited fines and a potential prison sentence, and those protections are underpinned by a robust…23 Jun 2026HANSARDLegal Protections for Ancient TreesI recognise the situation that the noble Baroness describes, and the Government recognise that we need to look at whether there is more we can do to protect trees. Defra has…23 Jun 2026HANSARDLegal Protections for Ancient TreesI am very happy to look at it. Usually, the local authority will give an order for a tree to be cut down if there is a reason to be concerned about safety. I have an interest in…23 Jun 2026HANSARDThames WaterOn the basis that I do not know how many pipes, what size reservoir and where it would be, it is difficult to assess a capital investment. The Government have a reservoir policy.…17 Jun 2026HANSARDThames WaterIt is because that is the generally understood figure. That is why we go with that figure.17 Jun 2026