Contributions
188 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBBC: Royal CharterMy Lords, my final act in departing the BBC in 2000 was to negotiate a licence fee settlement for seven years at RPI plus 1.5%. That was with a Prime Minister who was crystal…15 Jan 2024HANSARDRoad Safety StrategyMy Lords, one night last week at a complex five-road junction in south London, I encountered e-bikers coming at me from every single direction, all without helmets, some on the…18 Dec 2023HANSARDBBC FundingMy Lords, I quote the current Secretary of State: the BBC “needs to live in the real world”, and “We can’t keep putting prices up for the licence fee”. What is actually happening…12 Dec 2023HANSARDBBC FundingI hope noble Lords will allow me to come to a conclusion. I can see all too clearly how much the BBC has diminished in every area of programming since my time as director-general.…12 Dec 2023HANSARDBiomass Strategy 2023: Cross Sectoral Sustainability FrameworkMy Lords, the “Panorama” on Drax offered vivid and compelling evidence that fatally undermined Drax as a renewable proposition. The Minister has previously asserted that that was…15 Nov 2023HANSARDKing’s SpeechMy Lords, in the debate last year following the gracious Speech, the Minister declared that she would outline the plan for a world-class transport network. She said that “few…13 Nov 2023HANSARDNear-earth SatellitesMy Lords, I declare an interest as a one-time vice-chairman of Eutelsat. What was the historic rationale for the UK Government to invest in the soon-to-be-bankrupt OneWeb, and…13 Nov 2023HANSARD2030 Emissions Reduction Target: HeatingMy Lords, the Minister will know that heat pumps are a very efficient means of turning electricity into heat, but does he think that, while electricity costs roughly three times…05 Sept 2023HANSARDRural CrimeMetal theft in country areas is rife. Catalytic converter theft is on the rise. Lead stolen from church roofs has a devastating impact on local communities. Stealing miles of…11 Jul 2023HANSARDDrax Biomass Power StationSpeaking of proof, has the Minister had a chance to view the devastating “Panorama” on Drax? Drax’s claims have been fatally undermined. Ancient forests have been cut down and…03 Jul 2023HANSARDEmergency CommunicationsThe Minister must be deeply troubled that not one but two critical technology platforms in our national security infrastructure have failed in a very short space of time—the…26 Jun 2023HANSARDClimate: Behaviour Change (Environment and Climate Change Committee Report)My Lords, our behaviour can adapt at the required pace only if government itself provides the right policy framework and puts the appropriate incentives in place—and that, I…07 Jun 2023HANSARDHousebuildingMy Lords—07 Jun 2023HANSARDHousebuildingMy Lords, we have long had a housing crisis. Hundreds of thousands are homeless, millions are living in substandard and overcrowded accommodation, there are 2 million fewer social…07 Jun 2023HANSARDRailways: Trans-Pennine ExpressMy Lords, disruption on our national rail system is now commonplace. Only yesterday, I took a train to reach Parliament that was exactly 60 minutes late. Recently, my wife and I…23 May 2023HANSARDCOP 28My Lords, following the contribution of the noble Lord, Lord Howell, I would be the first to recognise that the route to net zero is fraught with challenge and difficulty. But…17 May 2023HANSARDBBC: Appointment and Resignation of ChairMy Lords, I declare an interest as a former director-general of the BBC. This episode will not damage the BBC—there, I agree with the Minister. It has been around for 100 years,…02 May 2023HANSARDFootball: Illegal Entry to MatchesMy Lords, it was an absolute miracle that there was no major loss of life at last year’s Champions League final at the Stade de France. It was a terrifying experience for many…01 Feb 2023HANSARDNet Zero (Industry and Regulators Committee)My Lords, the on-the-button report that we are discussing today, and the more recent Skidmore review, with its 1,112 granular paragraphs and 129 detailed recommendations, well…20 Jan 2023HANSARDLevelling-up and Regeneration BillMy Lords, the challenge for any large organisation, whether in the public or private sectors or within government, is how to combine strategic direction with effective…17 Jan 2023