Contributions
421 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTransport InfrastructureMy Lords, can the Minister give us some assurances about the management changes at HS2? I worked first with HS1 from an environmental point of view and then with Crossrail. I have…11 Feb 2020HANSARDFisheries Bill [HL]My Lords, this is a really historic Bill. For the first time in 50 years, we can design our own fisheries policy; it will be one of the few silver linings of Brexit, if we get it…11 Feb 2020HANSARDDirect Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) BillMy Lords, I declare my multiple environmental, food and farming interests as listed in the register. I do not know whether noble Lords have noticed, but agriculture Bills are a…29 Jan 2020HANSARDHigh Speed 2 (Economic Affairs Committee Report)My Lords, I declare an interest as chairman of the Woodland Trust. The Economic Affairs Committee was critical of the appraisal process for large infrastructure projects such as…23 Jan 2020HANSARDHigh Speed 2 (Economic Affairs Committee Report)Before my noble friend resumes, I point out that we are in the midst of electrifying the Midlands route. It is not pleasant but it is not the end of the world. It is happening…23 Jan 2020HANSARDHigh Speed 2 (Economic Affairs Committee Report)I thank the noble Lord for giving way. I would hate for him to call it “wobble room” on a train. I think I said “wiggle room”. One must get these technical terms right.23 Jan 2020HANSARDFisheries: EU Landing Obligation (European Union Committee Report)My Lords, I too welcome the Minister to his new role, and very much look forward to working with him. I also congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Teverson, and the committee on two…23 Jan 2020HANSARDQueen’s SpeechMy Lords, I declare my environmental interests as set out in the register. For me, the Queen’s Speech felt a bit like Groundhog Day. It heralded an environment Bill, an…07 Jan 2020HANSARDBrexit: PreparationsWill the Minister elaborate a bit on the context in which this Statement was made? At the beginning, I think I heard assurances that the Government are committed to securing…21 Oct 2019HANSARDQueen’s SpeechMy Lords, I am honoured to have this opportunity to congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Bennett of Manor Castle, on her spirited maiden speech and on the issues that she rightly…17 Oct 2019HANSARDHigh Speed Rail (West Midlands–Crewe) BillMy Lords, I declare my interest as chair of The Woodland Trust. There may well be benefits to HS2, such as capacity and carbon reduction, but they are worth nothing if that…09 Sept 2019HANSARDHigh Speed Rail (West Midlands–Crewe) BillPerhaps I can help the Minister with that. I would be delighted to send her the list of woodland that is about to be demolished over the next six weeks.09 Sept 2019HANSARDHigh Speed Rail (West Midlands–Crewe) BillThe evidence for the preservation of ancient woodlands simply does not exist; it is a myth, and I do not think that we should be misleading the House in this way. While I am on my…09 Sept 2019HANSARDEnvironment (Legislative Functions from Directives) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019My Lords, I declare a very old interest as a former chief executive of the Environment Agency and as former chairman of English Nature. I am very concerned about this set of…15 Jul 2019HANSARDRestaurants: Calorie LabellingAre the Government losing their grip on this issue? We were promised the Public Health England sugar reduction data in April, when it did not appear, and then “in late summer…09 Jul 2019HANSARDPost-18 Education and Funding ReviewMy Lords, I declare an interest as chancellor of Cranfield University and as chairman-designate of the Royal Veterinary College. I support calls by many Peers for improvements in…02 Jul 2019HANSARDClimate Change Act 2008 (2050 Target Amendment) Order 2019My Lords, I declare an interest as chair of the Woodland Trust and I welcome the Government’s commitment to net zero carbon as enshrined in this instrument. I will make two very…26 Jun 2019HANSARDAsh DiebackMy Lords, the Minister may recognise that ash dieback is a serious problem but I want to press him further. A load of other diseases are waiting in the wings, some of which will…25 Jun 2019HANSARDInequalitiesMy Lords, I first congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Ravensdale, on his maiden speech. Although I cannot support the electoral method by which he has arrived with us in the Lords,…13 Jun 2019HANSARDPost-18 Review of Education and FundingMy Lords, I declare an interest as chancellor of one university and chairman-elect of another, and commend the report for one thing—I am quite critical of many of the issues…04 Jun 2019