Contributions
253 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSelf-employment: A1 FormsMy Lords, as the singer Rachel Nicholls has documented, the problems over visas for musicians and singers are now compounded by the fact that foreign opera houses and festivals…12 Feb 2024HANSARDArtsMy Lords, we are indebted to the noble Lord, Lord Bragg, for securing this necessary debate. It is necessary because, notwithstanding the Minister’s undoubted love of the arts and…01 Feb 2024HANSARDVictims and Prisoners BillMy Lords, I support my noble friend’s amendments, and I particularly emphasise the points we have heard about having people with expertise. The right reverend Prelate spoke very…31 Jan 2024HANSARDSchools: Persistent AbsenteeismMy Lords, I know that the Government have looked carefully at areas where there is deprivation. In the light of the questions we have already heard, have the Government made any…24 Jan 2024HANSARDSir Edward Heath: Operation ConiferMy Lords, I am grateful to be allowed to speak briefly in the gap. Ted Heath was a family friend for a reason that we have not mentioned so far—his passionate love of music. He…17 Jan 2024HANSARDTrade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [HL]My Lords, on the whole I tend to support the idea of having one’s sparring partners join the club, because there is then a way to communicate. The noble Baroness, Lady Kennedy of…16 Jan 2024HANSARDClassical MusicMay I ask the Minister to comment at a more grass-roots level? In the last few months, we have lost the Dartington summer festival, which is educational as well; we have lost…07 Dec 2023HANSARDWar in UkraineMy Lords, there has obviously been great emphasis on support for Ukraine in terms of arms, but is the Minister aware— I am sure she is—that one of the things it most badly needs…25 Oct 2023HANSARDAccess to Musical Education in SchoolMy Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Baroness. I salute the noble Lord, Lord Boateng, on securing this debate, which is so important. I begin by mentioning something I…18 Oct 2023HANSARDCore School Budget AllocationsMy Lords, I was heartened to hear the Minister say that areas where there is deprivation will be especially considered. Could she say a little more about how those are areas are…17 Oct 2023HANSARDG20 SummitMy Lords, I hope I may make one aside, which I do not think has been mentioned yet. I found it very touching to see a British Prime Minister of Indian descent representing this…12 Sept 2023HANSARDEU ProgrammesMy Lords, I apologise to the Minister for missing the opening sentences of his speech. By way of amends, I very much welcome this move. I know the Minister would agree with me…07 Sept 2023HANSARDTeacher ShortagesMy Lords, does the Minister accept that there is a particular problem with music teachers in schools, and that the shortage, coupled with the decline in people taking GSCE music,…06 Sept 2023HANSARDLifelong Learning (Higher Education Fee Limits) BillMy Lords, many interesting points have been made about the amendments. I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Willetts, and the other speakers that we would like to see this progress;…05 Sept 2023HANSARDRail Ticket OfficesMy Lords, does the Minister know that the delay repay system, which I referred to in a question last week, often rewards people with vouchers from the companies? They often will…12 Jul 2023HANSARDCreative Industries (Communications and Digital Committee Report)My Lords, like others, I welcome this report. I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Stowell, and her colleagues on the many cogent and important points that they make. Likewise,…07 Jul 2023HANSARDNetwork Rail: Ely Area Capacity Enhancement ProgrammeMy Lords, will the Minister comment on, or at least look at, the “delay repay” scheme which is, on the face of it, a very good idea. The specific problem is that if you are…05 Jul 2023HANSARDBlood DonationMy Lords, has any assessment been made of the reasons for ruling potential donors out on medical grounds? For example, several years ago I offered to give blood, but I had to be…04 Jul 2023HANSARDArts and Creative Industries: Freelancers and Self-employed WorkersMy Lords, I must declare my interest as a freelance composer and broadcaster. Freelancers are, as we have heard from my noble friend Lord Clancarty, the backbone of the UK’s art…15 Jun 2023HANSARDFree Music EducationMy Lords, the aspirations of the plan are admirable, but surely we need to see less reliance on hubs and more reliance on actual music in schools. The best way to do that is to…12 Jun 2023