Contributions
1,483 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRetained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) BillIf the noble Baroness will allow me: Britain is revered in many of the fora that I have attended, whether COPs or other UN events, for the leadership we have taken on this. We…08 Mar 2023HANSARDRetained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) BillYes, that is Defra’s approach; that is what we are doing in respect of this legislation. Doing that allows us to keep protections in place, provide certainty to businesses and…08 Mar 2023HANSARDRetained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) BillOur position, as announced by the Secretary of State at the launch of the environmental improvement plan, is that we will retain by default provisions for environmental…08 Mar 2023HANSARDRetained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) BillI totally respect the noble Baroness for her commitment on these issues. I know she would not want legislation that sealed the habitats regulations in aspic for ever, because the…08 Mar 2023HANSARDRetained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) BillForgive me, I think that is dancing on the head of a pin. Taxation is not a matter for this piece of legislation.08 Mar 2023HANSARDRetained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) BillThe noble Baroness, Lady Parminter, was before the noble Baroness.08 Mar 2023HANSARDRetained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) BillIf we maintain it as is, it will not fall at the end of the year. If we want to reform it, it will be in the form of an SI, as before, so noble Lords will have a chance to debate…08 Mar 2023HANSARDRetained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) BillI wish I could. I am very content with the current lot, and I hope they continue. I do not really understand the first point that the noble Baroness made. The Bill is quite…08 Mar 2023HANSARDRetained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) BillI never said that. I was the Minister who made the sewer that is being put in place happen. I know all about the urban waste water treatment directive, and it is a very good…08 Mar 2023HANSARDWater Companies: Water PollutionMy Lords, the current environmental performance of water companies is unacceptable. In December 2022, the Water Minister and the Secretary of State met with CEOs of lagging water…01 Mar 2023HANSARDWater Companies: Water PollutionWe are asking water companies to spend a lot more—£56 billion. In this period alone, they are putting an extra £7 billion into investment in infrastructure. Water companies make a…01 Mar 2023HANSARDWater Companies: Water PollutionIn 2013, we only knew about 5% of the storm overflow points where sewage was going into our rivers. We now know about 90% because we instructed the water companies to provide that…01 Mar 2023HANSARDWater Companies: Water PollutionI am not an aquatic scientist but I can tell my noble friend that the problem in the Wye is principally due to phosphates coming from the poultry industry, which has boomed in…01 Mar 2023HANSARDWater Companies: Water PollutionAt a time of concern about household expenditure, it is important that we balance water bills. It is always a balancing act. We want to make sure that, with an average bill at…01 Mar 2023HANSARDOfficial Controls (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023My Lords, I begin by sending the whole House’s best wishes to DCI John Caldwell and his family, following the despicable attack that took place last week. As the Prime Minister…01 Mar 2023HANSARDOfficial Controls (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023I am happy to talk to the noble Lord after this and clarify that point. Time is moving on. I was talking about an important safeguard for Northern Ireland businesses. It means…01 Mar 2023HANSARDWater Companies: Water PollutionPart of me wants to answer that question by saying, “our rivers are in a better state under this system of administration of our waters”. However, I really want to say that we…01 Mar 2023HANSARDWater Companies: Water PollutionI refer the noble Baroness to the answers that I gave on 7 September, 25 October, 2 November, 14 November, 24 November, 30 January and 22 February, as well as to my 60 Written…01 Mar 2023HANSARDWater Companies: Water PollutionWe rightly beat ourselves up about this but it is worth stating that our bathing waters are in their best state ever. Last year, 93% of them were classified as “good” or…01 Mar 2023HANSARDWater Companies: Water PollutionMy noble friend is absolutely right: nature does not recognise borders. There is an arrangement whereby the Scots administer the Tweed, which is a border river, and the English…01 Mar 2023