Contributions
1,156 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillThere is a big difference between starting from scratch and having something fully worked out. The Minister has heard the views from around this House. There is work to be done…31 Jan 2023HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady O’Loan, for bringing forward these amendments, which I think are very helpful. However, she said earlier—the noble Lord, Lord Dodds,…31 Jan 2023HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillMy Lords, having had a long debate, we are now moving at pace. These are interesting amendments. Just as the immunity debate went to the heart of the Bill, in many ways this one…31 Jan 2023HANSARDAfghanistan: WomenMy Lords, this is the third time that we have discussed this issue in the last week, and I think that indicates how strongly your Lordships’ House feels about it. I take the…26 Jan 2023HANSARDEnvironmental Targets (Biodiversity) (England) Regulations 2022My Lords, this has been a really interesting debate. I cannot help noticing the gender balance of speakers who have shown an interest in the environment this evening, so I forgive…25 Jan 2023HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillIt may be. I do not have the amendment in front of me—I will look at it again later—but there seemed to be an absoluteness. I understand the principle, but I want to make sure…24 Jan 2023HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillThat is helpful; I am grateful. It is “the close family member” as well. A number of issues arise from the amendments from the noble Baroness, Lady O’Loan, and the question of…24 Jan 2023HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillI was expecting the noble Lord, Lord Bew, to speak on this group of amendments.24 Jan 2023HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillMy Lords, this has been a deeply respectful debate. A number of issues have come to light, and it would be helpful if the Minister could respond to them. Some of the issues are…24 Jan 2023HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillForgive me, my Lords, but I wanted to clarify that our position has always been that this Bill should never have been brought forward in this form until it had commanded some…24 Jan 2023HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillMy Lords, it is rare that I speak in this House and say how disappointed I am to be here. But I think there was some optimism that, when we had the Second Reading, the Government…24 Jan 2023HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) BillMy Lords, this has been an interesting discussion. I want to pick up on a couple of points and speak to our Amendment 198. My comments on government Amendment 6 are not dissimilar…24 Jan 2023HANSARDArrangement of BusinessMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord the Lord Privy Seal and the Government Chief Whip for their intervention in this matter. I am grateful for the noble Lord’s comments about Lord…19 Jan 2023HANSARDHouse of Lords: Party BalanceMy Lords, at last that was something I can agree with the Minister on. Does she accept that this House works best and does its best work when it is in balance? Her figures, I…09 Jan 2023HANSARDCross-government Cost-cuttingMy Lords, as I listened to the noble Lord, Lord Bird, I was reminded that on my desk is a form to renew my lapsed subscription to the Big Issue —I recommend it to colleagues; it…21 Dec 2022HANSARDBoardman ReportMy Lords, I have listened carefully to the Minister. I want to be clear from the start that I think lobbying is a legitimate democratic activity. When we are lobbied on policy…20 Dec 2022HANSARDIllegal ImmigrationMy Lords, I am grateful that the Government made an additional Statement in the other place on the truly dreadful incident in the channel in the early hours of this morning. It is…14 Dec 2022HANSARDIndependent Adviser on Ministerial InterestsIt was only a couple of seconds ago. Why does she think good candidates are refusing to take up the position? Could it be to do with the Government’s definition of independence?30 Nov 2022HANSARDCovid-19: PPE ProcurementMy Lords, I have raised the issue of fraud in PPE contracts previously. Apparently, PPE Medpro was awarded contracts via the VIP lane amounting to £200 million, despite it not…30 Nov 2022HANSARDIndependent Adviser on Ministerial InterestsMy Lords, I do wonder how many times Ministers can tell us that this is such an important issue and that it is a priority without appointing anyone. There is a queue of…30 Nov 2022