Contributions
3,654 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDShamima and Jarrah BegumMy Lords, what the noble Lord said is interesting, because responding to newspaper headlines is quite often what happens in both Houses of Parliament. The Home Secretary makes…11 Mar 2019HANSARDInternational Women’s DayThat this House takes note of International Women’s Day and the United Kingdom’s role in advancing gender equality globally.07 Mar 2019HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Commencement of Section 106I most certainly agree with the noble Baroness that we need to improve the diversity of candidates so that both Houses of Parliament look like the people they represent. She…07 Mar 2019HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Commencement of Section 106My Lords, like all uncommenced provisions in the Equality Act 2010, we keep Section 106 under review. The Government are working to support women and disabled people to…07 Mar 2019HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Commencement of Section 106I agree with the noble Baroness and, indeed, with my right honourable friend the Prime Minister. The abuse of some female representatives—I can think of a few, such as Luciana…07 Mar 2019HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Commencement of Section 106I thank the noble Lord for that question. I am sure that he lives not in London but in Scotland. I am another of that half who do not live in London, quite deliberately, because…07 Mar 2019HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Commencement of Section 106I thank the noble Baroness for commending Chickenshed to me; I will certainly look into it. She makes a really good point about disabled people knowing their ability, and the…07 Mar 2019HANSARDFemale Genital MutilationAs I outlined to the noble Baroness, Lady Burt, professionals in schools clearly do not have only a duty of care to their children and a safeguarding role; there is now an offence…07 Mar 2019HANSARDFemale Genital MutilationI totally agree with my noble friend. Cultural practice is often used interchangeably with religious reasons. In fact, the practice of FGM has nothing to do with religion. If…07 Mar 2019HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Commencement of Section 106I think the issue is that the Government feel that all political parties should be responsible for being diversity-inclusive when they select and elect their candidates. We have…07 Mar 2019HANSARDInternational Women’s DayMy Lords, it gives me great pleasure to open this International Women’s Day debate—for the fourth year running, I think. International Women’s Day provides us with the perfect…07 Mar 2019HANSARDFemale Genital MutilationOne thing the noble Baroness might find helpful is that it is an offence to fail to protect a girl from FGM. She mentions schools—clearly, they have not only a safeguarding role…07 Mar 2019HANSARDFemale Genital MutilationMy Lords, FGM is child abuse, and the Government are clear that we will not tolerate this appalling crime. We have strengthened the law on FGM and were pleased to see the first UK…07 Mar 2019HANSARDInternational Women’s DayNo, we will not—to eradicate it completely in the UK, and much longer globally. We have to do better. We have committed £5 million in funding to help people return to work after…07 Mar 2019HANSARDFemale Genital MutilationWhat I think the noble and learned Lord is pointing out is that, actually, this is quite a hidden crime. It has various protections, if you like, with family members and doctors…07 Mar 2019HANSARDFemale Genital MutilationI commend the noble Baroness for the work she did back in 1995—07 Mar 2019HANSARDFemale Genital MutilationIn 1985—even further back. I also commend my noble friend Lord Glenarthur. The noble Baroness points out the difficulties of this. If people, particularly family members, are…07 Mar 2019HANSARDFemale Genital MutilationI certainly have heard of the spoon campaign—I heard the lady who initiated it speaking in Manchester the other week. It prevents not only FGM but forced marriage, which is…07 Mar 2019HANSARDFemale Genital MutilationThe right reverend Prelate goes to the nub of the problem: it cannot be solved by legislation alone. Certainly, we are doing some work around the world in giving UK aid. At home,…07 Mar 2019HANSARDPrevent StrategyThe noble Lord is absolutely right, and I look forward to hearing his views when the review comes. If we look back at the start of the process—I am talking way back—integration…06 Mar 2019