Contributions
1,892 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDVetting Social Media AccountsI like to think that we are free speech champions. Unfortunately, the matter the noble Lord raises is now the subject of ongoing legal correspondence, which means it would be…21 Jun 2023HANSARDVetting Social Media AccountsI entirely agree with my noble friend. The balance between free speech and Civil Service impartiality is exactly what we are trying to strike.21 Jun 2023HANSARDVetting Social Media AccountsThe HR people group within the Cabinet Office produces different guidance on different things. It has a network in which people regularly discuss how things are operating. The…21 Jun 2023HANSARDVetting Social Media AccountsThe guidelines apply to cross-government diversity networks and they should follow the guidelines, although, obviously, there can be local interpretation.21 Jun 2023HANSARDCovid-19 InquiryI agree with the noble Lord about the possibility of an accommodation being reached. We have had discussions with the inquiry to bridge the gap between sincerely held views.…08 Jun 2023HANSARDCovid-19 InquiryAlthough this is a much wider inquiry even than other previous important inquiries, the process that has been followed by the Cabinet Office and across Whitehall is very similar…08 Jun 2023HANSARDCovid-19 InquiryMy noble friend speaks powerfully, as always. However, this is a matter for the inquiry. We have set up this wide-ranging inquiry so that these points can be looked at. It is…08 Jun 2023HANSARDCovid-19 InquiryIt is indeed the case that the Scottish Government are doing their own separate inquiry, and they organised separate arrangements during the pandemic. The inquiry is in the hands…08 Jun 2023HANSARDCovid-19 InquiryI assure the noble Lord that anything that is Covid related is being made available to the inquiry, subject to some security points. The impact of the Covid measures on the wider…08 Jun 2023HANSARDCovid-19 InquiryThis is an independent inquiry, and its conduct is for the chair. However, clearly the experience of other countries is also important, and I am sure that material in respect of…08 Jun 2023HANSARDCovid-19 InquiryArrangements for procurement are very much at the heart of some of the issues in the inquiry, as I remember we discussed here on many occasions with the noble Lord. Of course,…08 Jun 2023HANSARDCovid-19 InquiryOf course we trust the senior judge. She has control over what she decides within the framework of the inquiry, as we have been discussing, which has advantages and disadvantages.…08 Jun 2023HANSARDCovid-19 InquiryAs I explained, ever since the inquiry was agreed, the Government have been helping it to ensure that, as is the precedent of other inquiries, the key documents are made available…08 Jun 2023HANSARDCovid-19 InquiryMy Lords, we have provided, and will continue to provide, the inquiry with all relevant material as requested. Following the request of the chair, the Cabinet Office will share a…08 Jun 2023HANSARDCovid-19 Inquiry: Judicial ReviewThe Government set up the inquiry for exactly the sorts of reasons that the noble Baroness outlined. These questions need to be answered. As I said, the Government are making…06 Jun 2023HANSARDCovid-19 Inquiry: Judicial ReviewIt is helpful to set things out, and I thank her for trying to do that. I want to respond to the point about our intentions. The noble Baroness described the inquiry and how it…06 Jun 2023HANSARDCovid-19 Inquiry: Judicial ReviewI start by agreeing with the noble Baroness, Lady Smith of Basildon, that it is difficult to answer questions when we have not had the benefit of the Statement. It was a long…06 Jun 2023HANSARDCovid-19 Inquiry: Judicial ReviewPerhaps I could pick up that last point, which the noble Lord, Lord Allan, also raised—06 Jun 2023HANSARDCovid-19 Inquiry: Judicial ReviewMy apologies. There is a well-established precedent, as we all know—I think it goes across many Administrations—that former Ministers are supported with legal representation after…06 Jun 2023HANSARDCovid-19 Inquiry: Judicial ReviewI thank my noble friend for his wise advice and the background. We miss him on the Front Bench, and it is good that he has come to talk to us today. As evidence of his point,…06 Jun 2023