Contributions
536 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDJury TrialsIndeed, and I would remind the House that, because of concerns about the Diplock courts in Northern Ireland, there was an automatic right of appeal, to try to build some…07 Jan 2026HANSARDJury TrialsFor me, the key question in this matter is this: what will be the impact on public confidence in our legal system? I will answer that question based on my professional life as a…07 Jan 2026HANSARDEuropean Convention on Human Rights: Belfast AgreementIt is plain wrong to say that the survival of the Belfast agreement is dependent on the ECHR. Why is the Secretary of State so selective in his Belfast agreement allegiance? It…07 Jan 2026HANSARD VenezuelaMost Members of this House will agree with the Government that there are no tears to be shed over the removal of the brutal regime in Venezuela, but my question for the Foreign…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionSpecial forces operations inescapably involve split-second decisions and walk a very fine line. If those operatives perceive that the Government do not have their back, is the…05 Jan 2026HANSARDAgricultural Property Relief and Business Property ReliefI certainly welcome the increase in the threshold as far as it goes, and I commend the campaigning farmers who secured it. In explaining it today, the Minister said that the…05 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and ReconciliationThe Secretary of State does not need me to tell him that he and the Government are struggling to command veteran support for his Bill. In order to address that deficit of support,…17 Dec 2025HANSARDChagossians: Trust Fund and ResettlementIn getting to this point, the Government have made much of their adherence to international standards and bodies, yet in the last 15 minutes the Minister has been asked three…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Finance (No. 2) BillThe key is in the point that the Minister finally made there; that is under the previous scheme. Northern Ireland is not to get the uplift that the rest of the United Kingdom does…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Finance (No. 2) BillI want to begin by endorsing and agreeing with the very articulate and passionate contributions from Members right across the House. It is encouraging that there have been…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Finance (No. 2) BillIt has to end. It is discrimination at the behest of a foreign power. It is Brussels saying, “You must impose state aid rules on Northern Ireland.” The product of that in these…16 Dec 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsHas the Ministry of Justice had any contact with the Justice Minister in Northern Ireland in relation to the looming crisis in criminal justice arising from the fact that on 5…16 Dec 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsIn view of the fact that Northern Ireland, alas, remains subject to much European Union law, including legislation on ozone-depleting substances, it seems that from 1 January the…15 Dec 2025HANSARD Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Billrose—15 Dec 2025HANSARD Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Billrose—15 Dec 2025HANSARD Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) BillIt is always good to hear about a rise in the availability of financial assistance to industry. In the context of Northern Ireland, the Minister has referred to the Windsor…15 Dec 2025HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles: Operation KenovaOn a day like today, it is important to remind ourselves that our security and intelligence forces saved hundreds of lives in the face of murderous terrorism. Terrorists, of…09 Dec 2025HANSARD Illegal Migrants: Unknown WhereaboutsI am listening with interest to the Minister, but as a Member of this House, I would like to know whether the figures quoted by the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth (Rupert Lowe)…09 Dec 2025HANSARDDigital IDThe scale of the response to this petition—almost 3 million people—should cause us all to pause. This rash proposal has clearly touched a deep-seated opposition among our…08 Dec 2025HANSARDDigital IDThat is a question that I obviously cannot answer, and it is one that I doubt the Minister will answer, but it is well posed. Why, oh why, if the Government were going to impinge…08 Dec 2025