Contributions
188 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDParliamentary Works Sponsor Body: Annual ReportMy Lords, let me begin by saying how impressed I am by the contributions of the noble Lord, Lord Best, and his colleagues on the sponsor board as well as how lucky the House is to…16 Nov 2021HANSARDMetal TheftMy Lords, metal theft is organised crime on a national scale. As the noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh, just reminded us, lead theft from village churches in particular can have a…14 Oct 2021HANSARDSocial Care in EnglandMy Lords, I declare an interest as the chair of a company, listed in the register, that supplies services to the care and other sectors. The real cost of care is of the order of…14 Oct 2021HANSARDSocial Care in EnglandThe Minister has, understandably, focused largely on the funding issues. However, does he accept that unless there is fundamental organisational reform at the front line, we will…14 Oct 2021HANSARDUK Journalism (Communications and Digital Committee Report)May I, too, join the “when I was a lad” brigade? I should tell the noble Lord, Lord McNally, that when he and I were lads, I was actually a director on “All Our Yesterdays”,…13 Oct 2021HANSARDAfghanistanMy Lords, the United States came to our rescue in two world wars. Without its intervention in the second, Europe—including the UK—might now be under either a Soviet or a Nazi…18 Aug 2021HANSARDHydrogen EconomyIt is clear that hydrogen is a possible option for decarbonising maritime travel, heavy vehicles and the heating of buildings, but the likely cost of clean hydrogen as a fuel and…19 Jul 2021HANSARDLorry DriversMy Lords, it is not just lorry drivers. I detect skill shortages in every part of my day-to-day personal and business life—shortages of roofers, data scientists, maintenance…07 Jul 2021HANSARDNorth of England: Rapid Mass Transport SystemMy Lords, I have long been a supporter of improving our strategic rail network, but I now wonder whether we face a mid to long-term future in which electric vehicles incorporating…28 Jun 2021HANSARDElectric Vehicles: Impact on Household Energy BillsMy Lords, I have just bought my first EV, and it has been a salutary experience. A cable of the length that we require to charge direct from our home is out of stock. We also…23 Jun 2021HANSARDCovid-19: ObesityMy Lords, the UK has among the highest rates of obesity in the whole world— 28% compared with the benchmark, Japan, at 4%. We know, however, that payback on public health…21 Apr 2021HANSARDUnited Nations Biodiversity ConferenceMy Lords, many species of plant, animal and other life forms have been in steep decline over centuries, yet the COP measures hitherto have not been transformative. Are the UK and…13 Apr 2021HANSARDHousing StrategyMy Lords, I am unaware of any area of our national life more in need of our attention than housing. I strongly commend the initiative of the most reverend Primate the Archbishop…24 Mar 2021HANSARDHeat PumpsMy Lords, decarbonising home heating, responsible for around one-fifth of our emissions, is an enormous challenge. There are a number of different technological approaches to…22 Mar 2021HANSARDSheikha Latifa bint Mohammed al-MaktoumMy Lords, the noble Baroness, Lady Warsi, referred to reports that Sheikha Latifa was abducted in international waters with the help of Indian special forces. If that is the case,…17 Mar 2021HANSARDNorthern Ireland Protocol: Grace PeriodMy Lords, I was heavily exposed to the Troubles across the whole span of my broadcasting career, so I am particularly alert to the delicacy of the current situation in Northern…10 Mar 2021HANSARDSpace IndustryMy Lords, I declare an interest as, until recently, vice-chair of Eutelsat. LEO—low earth orbit—satellites have high potential. Unlike geostationary satellites, they have low…04 Mar 2021HANSARDHS2: Phase 2BMy Lords, the UK has underinvested in rail and road infrastructure under all Governments for over 50 years. As a consequence, we have the worst transport infrastructure of any…08 Feb 2021HANSARDTelevision Licence EvasionMy Lords, in recent times we have seen a rapid decline in the funding of one of our greatest achievements as a country, admired and envied the world over: British public service…26 Jan 2021HANSARDRailways: ElectrificationMy Lords, only around 40% of the UK’s rail network has been electrified so far, and many diesel locomotives are old and highly polluting. When will the Government set out their…19 Jan 2021