Contributions
1,892 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEU-UK Joint Political Declaration on Asylum and ReturnsDoes the Minister appreciate the growing evidence that some bogus asylum seekers are claiming to be the victims of trafficking and/or modern slavery in order to bolster their…28 Jan 2021HANSARDHousebuildingMy Lords, home ownership is a huge contributor to a prosperous and contented society, and I am glad to see the Minister’s focus on this. What is the gross number of new homes that…26 Jan 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Early Years SectorI welcome the fact that, in recognition of the importance of early learning, the Government have kept nursery schools open. Primary schools are also open for some pupils, although…20 Jan 2021HANSARDTrade BillMy Lords, I declare my interests, notably as chair of the UK-ASEAN Business Council, and of Crown Agents. I congratulate the Minister and my noble friend Lord Younger on getting…18 Jan 2021HANSARDGas Boilers and Heaters: Replacement ProgrammeMy Lords, planning for the phasing out of all use of gas boilers is, to my mind, a very bold step, especially when the nature of the possible replacements is unclear. What steps…12 Jan 2021HANSARDLeaseholders: Properties with CladdingI know the Minister is trying very hard, but this is a lamentable and serious situation, with numerous facets impinging on millions of people who have done nothing wrong. It has…07 Jan 2021HANSARDLeaseholders: Properties with CladdingTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made towards supporting leaseholders who cannot (1) sell, or (2) mortgage, their properties as a result of issues with…07 Jan 2021HANSARDHealth Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation and Linked Households) (England) Regulations 2020My Lords, as time for scrutiny is so short, I turn to the main area of hope, which is vaccination. Does my noble friend the Minister agree that this Government are likely to be…07 Jan 2021HANSARDProvisional Local Government Finance SettlementMy Lords, largely because of the needs of Covid, the national finances are now in a dire state. Many retailers are experiencing serious financial problems for the same reason. The…06 Jan 2021HANSARDTrade BillMy Lords, I welcome the government amendments, which are technical in nature but allow proper co-operation between HMRC and the devolved authorities. As I was not able to be in…06 Jan 2021HANSARDTrade BillMy Lords, I rise to express my concern at these amendments. They have been presented at length and with much eloquence by the noble Lord, Lord Hain, and others. However, they…06 Jan 2021HANSARDEuropean Union (Future Relationship) BillMy Lords, I rise to welcome this Bill, and to congratulate my noble friend Lord Cavendish on his brilliant valedictory speech. We will miss him, his historical perspectives, and…30 Dec 2020HANSARDHealth Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020My Lords, I support the regulations. I have been a strong proponent and defender of the principle of tiers in defending us from Covid; in my view, it is the correct strategic…30 Dec 2020HANSARDImmigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Act 2020 (Consequential, Saving, Transitional and Transitory Provisions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020My Lords, I thank the Minister for her clear explanation, and I thank my noble friend Lord Horam for his fascinating historical perspective. I agree with all he said and all that…10 Dec 2020HANSARDUK-EU Withdrawal AgreementMy Lords, I welcome the limited progress outlined in the Statement on arrangements for the transport of goods, food and drink across the Irish Sea and, in some cases, to or from…10 Dec 2020HANSARDUnited Kingdom Internal Market BillMy Lords, I share the feeling of the noble Baroness, Lady Finlay of Llandaff, and the noble and learned Lord, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, that the Government have come a long way on…09 Dec 2020HANSARDPublic Health (Coronavirus) (Protection from Eviction and Taking Control of Goods) (England) Regulations 2020My Lords, I refer to my entry in the register of interests. I thank my noble friend for her clear explanation and for all that the Government have done during Covid, particularly…08 Dec 2020HANSARDTrade BillMy Lords, I rise primarily to support the noble Lord, Lord Berkeley, as I did in Committee, in his efforts to get the Luxembourg Rail Protocol to the Cape Town Convention…07 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia and Debenhams: Business Support and Job RetentionThe Government have done a great deal to support this highly competitive sector, and little more can profitably be done to help these firms. Schumpeter’s creative destruction…03 Dec 2020HANSARDSpending Review 2020My Lords, as time is short, I will eschew universals and limit myself to two points. First, on delivering public value, I thank the Chancellor for including as a priority outcome…03 Dec 2020