Contributions
453 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHigh Streets and Towns: RegenerationMy Lords, the Minister will be aware—obviously, because it has been discussed already—that pubs are a vital part of the high street. Is she also aware that, since Labour came to…18 Mar 2026HANSARDPeatland RestorationMy Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his reply to the right reverend Prelate and to the right reverend Prelate for referencing his diocese’s historic interests in the…12 Mar 2026HANSARDSmall Businesses: VAT ThresholdMy Lords, small businesses are the key driver for creating jobs and employment. Can the Minister confirm that unemployment is now 5.6%—higher than during the Covid pandemic—while…05 Mar 2026HANSARDTaiwanMy Lords—04 Mar 2026HANSARDSecurity UpdateMy Lords, a few months ago the CPS dropped the charges involving spying on Parliament against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry. At the time, most legal experts took the view…04 Mar 2026HANSARDGibraltar TreatyMy Lords, in the other place the Foreign Secretary stated that uniformed Spanish officials will be stationed at checkpoints only at the borders. However, various commentators have…03 Mar 2026HANSARDDiego Garcia and British Indian Ocean TerritoryMy Lords, on that very point, the Minister said on 12 occasions—and I have a list of them—that the treaty can only go ahead with US support. Well, the US President said last week…26 Feb 2026HANSARDLocal Government ReorganisationMy Lords, Conservative county councillors in Norfolk have no fear of democracy, and in fact are very much looking forward to these elections in 74 days’ time. It is worth pointing…25 Feb 2026HANSARDMinistry of Defence: Palantir ContractsMy Lords, when the Prime Minister and Lord Mandelson visited the HQ of Palantir, met the chief executive, toured the offices and obviously had meetings with many other…11 Feb 2026HANSARDAmbassadors: Vetting ProcessMy Lords, can I just ask the Minister to clarify a point? She mentioned that Lord Mandelson went through the due diligence. She then said—I think I heard her right—that he was…10 Feb 2026HANSARDLife Sciences: BeaglesMy Lords, the noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh, asked about foxhounds. Beagles are hounds and are often used in experiments, but foxhounds are not. If trail hunting is banned, what…09 Feb 2026HANSARDShamima BegumMy Lords, further to the question asked by the noble Viscount, Lord Hailsham, she was indeed 15 when she went out to Syria originally, but she is now 26 and able to show maturity,…03 Feb 2026HANSARDChinese EmbassyMy Lords, I certainly support the noble Baroness our Front-Bench spokesperson and the noble Lord the Lib Dem spokesman. This is a regrettable decision but we now have to move on.…26 Jan 2026HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillMy Lords, the Minister appears to be in a parallel universe. Can she comment on what the President of the United States, Scott Bessent and Marco Rubio said last week? Is it not…26 Jan 2026HANSARDDiego Garcia: Comments by the President of the United StatesMy Lords, I worked out that this Minister and other Ministers have told Parliament on over 50 occasions that the treaty can go ahead only with American support. It is not just the…22 Jan 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, my Amendment 51 seeks to highlight the need to include health agencies in the RCC arrangement. As I mentioned in my speech in Committee back in June, integrated care…19 Jan 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I listened very carefully to what the Minister said. Although she went some way to satisfying me and others who support this amendment, I do not think she went far…19 Jan 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill19 Jan 2026HANSARDUnited States: Withdrawal from International OrganisationsMy Lords, the various UN peacekeeping missions around the world—I think there are currently 14—have a vital role to play. However, those of us who have had the privilege of…13 Jan 2026HANSARDVenezuelaMy Lords, I entirely agree with what the Minister had to say about the unpleasantness of President Maduro; we are well rid of him. She mentioned international law. Can she expand…07 Jan 2026