Contributions
185 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDThames WaterMy Lords, the dire position of Thames Water is, above all, a regulatory failure. Does the Minister accept that Ofwat’s record as a regulator has been absolutely woeful? Above all,…17 Jun 2026 · 3d agoHANSARDDefence Investment PlanMy Lords, I was very sad indeed to see such a capable and committed group of Defence Ministers depleted by resignation, but very pleased—as was the noble Baroness, Lady Goldie—to…15 Jun 2026 · 5d agoHANSARDTrains: PunctualityMy Lords, in the last year, just under 10% of British train journeys were either cancelled, truncated or arrived more than 10 minutes late. The prime causes identified were…20 Apr 2026HANSARDLocal Resilience ForumsMy Lords, utilising modern science and technology, the police appear to be addressing the most serious crime very effectively. But we all know that we have an epidemic of…16 Apr 2026HANSARDTrail-huntingMy Lords—18 Mar 2026HANSARDBBC World Service: SustainabilityMy Lords, in a few years, we will be celebrating the centenary of one of the UK’s many great inventions, the BBC World Service, which now reaches a remarkable 400 million people…17 Mar 2026HANSARDHumanist WeddingsMy Lords, in Scotland in 2024, there were more humanist weddings than there were weddings of all religious faiths combined—evidence not only of the substantial demand for humanist…16 Mar 2026HANSARDQuantum TechnologyMy Lords, quantum technology is possibly, indeed probably, the most disruptive and transformational technology yet invented by mankind. Thankfully, with our world-leading science…24 Feb 2026HANSARDNew Homes TargetMy Lords, I return to the question of social housing. Since 1990, the UK’s population has grown by around 20%—an additional 12 million people. In that same period, our stock of…11 Feb 2026HANSARDElectric Vehicles: TransitionMy Lords, I readily acknowledge that the EV charging network in the UK is growing very rapidly, but none the less there are issues. Some parts of the UK are significantly…11 Feb 2026HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillMy Lords, we are discussing one of the most important decisions that any individual might make in their lives. It is important for the individual and for the state. I think that…30 Jan 2026HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill23 Jan 2026HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillMy Lords, I shall speak also to all the other amendments listed in my name and that of the noble Lord, Lord Pannick, who, having assiduously attended our sessions on the Bill thus…23 Jan 2026HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillNo, I am sorry—I have an argument to put; I am not going to take any interruptions. Furthermore, one of Australia’s most senior and experienced practitioners tells me that,…23 Jan 2026HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillMy Lords, I will try not to keep us too long from our lunch. This has been a lively and helpful debate, and I think it has exposed a fair number of critical issues that are yet to…23 Jan 2026HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillThe one issue that unites the whole Committee is that we have to have an effective service of palliative care in this country. The data in Australia, which varies from state to…23 Jan 2026HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillBelieve it or not, I have had cause, at various times in my life, to navigate the NHS, as probably everybody in this Committee has, and of course it is very difficult. However,…23 Jan 2026HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillI am sorry; perhaps the noble Baroness can talk to me later, as I could not take in what she said. I am, frankly, open-minded about the NHS question and accept the strength of…23 Jan 2026HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillI do not think it for us, in framing in principle amendments, to deal with that level of issue, but the noble Lord is right—that is exactly what the body should do. We are talking…23 Jan 2026HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillPlainly, the NHS is a very large organisation and it offers a variety of different kinds of experience. I hope none of us uses A&E very often but, like everybody else, I have used…23 Jan 2026