Contributions
38 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDInfected Blood Compensation SchemeMy Lords, there is much to welcome in this Statement and I do welcome it, although some of it is belated. But we should never forget that this scandal, tragedy, or whatever term…21 Apr 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, my Amendment 309 in this group seeks to impose a duty to co-operate on local public service partners. I again thank the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, for adding his name in…26 Mar 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, I rise to speak on cue to my Amendment 182, declare an interest as an honorary vice-president of the Local Government Association and thank the noble Lord, Lord Shipley,…24 Mar 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, I will speak to Amendment 237 in my name. I thank the noble Baronesses, Lady Scott and Lady Eaton, and the noble Lord, Lord Jamieson, for adding their names to it. I…29 Jan 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, I rise to speak to my Amendment 191, and, in doing so, declare an interest as an honorary vice-president of the Local Government Association. The amendment would provide…27 Jan 2026HANSARDTobacco and Vapes BillMy Lords, I declare an interest as chair of the National Trading Standards Board. In that capacity, I make one or two points that I made in the Bill Committee and at Second…27 Oct 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, as someone who has been involved with child abuse issues and child protection down the years, I thought it necessary to add my voice to support the amendment. It may be…09 Jun 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, by any measure, this is a landmark Bill and I welcome very many of its provisions. However, in the very short time available today, I will focus only on the part of the…01 May 2025HANSARDPublic Inquiries: Enchancing Public Trust (Statutory Inquiries Committee Report)My Lords, as a former chair of a non-statutory inquiry, the Soham inquiry, more recently chair of an expert group advising the Infected Blood Inquiry, and a witness before four…25 Apr 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes BillMy Lords, I declare an interest as chair of the National Trading Standards Board, which is responsible for the most complex trading standards prosecutions and which works with…23 Apr 2025HANSARDLifelong LearningMy Lords, I declare an interest as chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire. I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Knight, on securing the debate, and the noble Baroness,…06 Feb 2025HANSARDGrowing the UK EconomyMy Lords, can the Minister reassure both me and the House that the Government and the Treasury understand that growth in the economy is about investing not just in capital…03 Feb 2025HANSARDHealth and Social Care: Winter UpdateI too acknowledge the commitment and effort being made, and also, of course, the commitment on the front line. I am not a health professional—and I feel particularly conscious of…21 Jan 2025HANSARDOld Oak Common: Train DisruptionWould the Minister take this opportunity to reassure the House and those of us who are privileged to live in the south-west that our transport needs are given as much attention…08 Jan 2025HANSARDCivil Service: PoliticisationMy Lords, I join others in congratulating the noble Lord, Lord Butler, in securing a debate on this subject. I thoroughly agree with the noble Lord, Lord Maude, that we do not…28 Nov 2024HANSARDInfected Blood InquiryMy Lords, it is difficult to follow those personal recollections, but they bring home to us the suffering that so many people have experienced. I should, in the spirit of…15 Oct 2024HANSARDKing’s SpeechMy Lords, when you are the 61st and last Back-Bench speaker, you can at least hope that some people will be pleased to see you—and I hope that noble Lords are. Building on that…23 Jul 2024HANSARDPost Office Horizon: Compensation and LegislationMy Lords, the Minister said that this is unprecedented, which of course it is in many respects. However, we are seeing a number of examples at the moment of the state finding it…27 Feb 2024HANSARDVictims and Prisoners BillMy Lords, I too speak in support of Amendment 134. I have to apologise, for I am afraid I was unable to attend Second Reading. I speak on this amendment as someone who has spent a…26 Feb 2024HANSARDEducation: 11 to 16 Year-oldsIs the Minister not especially concerned—maybe even embarrassed—that in 2023, some 35.2% pupils in state schools left without a grade 4 or above in English and maths? Has not the…08 Feb 2024