Contributions
634 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEuropean Union (Future Relationship) BillMy Lords, what a historic day to speak on a Bill that makes the Prime Minister’s amazing achievement of a deal into law. Perhaps now we can hear less from all his detractors, who…30 Dec 2020HANSARDArcadia Pension FundMy Lords, let us be blunt. Debenhams collapsed after three ruthless vulture funds loaded it with debt and then cleaned it out to the tune of £1.2 billion in dividends. Arcadia was…08 Dec 2020HANSARDTrade BillMy Lords, I rise to speak in support of Amendment 8 and my own Amendments 10 and 45—that is 10 and 45, not 11 and 45. I have been monitoring proceedings—watching them upstairs in…07 Dec 2020HANSARDHigh Speed Rail (West Midlands–Crewe) Bill30 Nov 2020HANSARDHigh Speed Rail (West Midlands–Crewe) Bill30 Nov 2020HANSARDHigh Speed Rail (West Midlands–Crewe) BillIn view of the fact that we are running very late, and there is an important Covid Statement coming up, I do not wish to try the patience of the House—or of the Chief Whip, for…30 Nov 2020HANSARDHigh Speed Rail (West Midlands–Crewe) BillMy Lords, naturally I am grateful to all noble Lords, both here in the Chamber and online, who have spoken both for and against my amendments. Since I spoke at length in moving…30 Nov 2020HANSARDHigh Speed Rail (West Midlands–Crewe) BillMy Lords, I declare my interest as in the register as the deputy chair of Natural England. Amendment 5 stands in my name and those of my noble friend Lord Randall of Uxbridge and…30 Nov 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies BillMy Lords, I just popped in today to see this Bill put safety to bed, having participated extensively in Committee and on Report—speaking on it for far too long, noble Lords may…26 Nov 2020HANSARDLeaseholders and CladdingMy Lords, I declare a possible interest as someone who might be affected. One million leaseholders will still be ripped off by landlords, freeholders and agents who will carry out…25 Nov 2020HANSARDAsylum Seekers: Croatia and Bosnia-HerzegovinaSurely these appalling allegations show that the flow of illegal immigration across the European continent is certainly not good for the migrants concerned, nor the countries…18 Nov 2020HANSARDCommon Rules for Exports (EU Exit) Regulations 2020My Lords, I support these regulations in their entirety. They are eminently sensible at any time, whether or not there is Chinese coronavirus on the go. However, I have two…10 Nov 2020HANSARDHigh Speed Rail (West Midlands-Crewe) BillMy Lords, I perfectly understand the need for the Committee to have a break and a stiff drink after any of my speeches; it is just a pity that we cannot get the stiff drinks any…09 Nov 2020HANSARDLife in the UK TestI say to my noble friend that, having tried for interest half a dozen of the tests this morning and only failed one, I thought the content was generally correct as far as it goes.…03 Nov 2020HANSARDNetwork Rail’s Enhancements PipelineWill the Minister appoint me to run Network Rail? I will bring to bear exactly the same skill set: I will lie about the initial cost of projects by a factor of four, just to…21 Oct 2020HANSARDHealth Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2020My Lords, I support these regulations, and I apologise to the Minister, because that is probably the most helpful thing I will say in the next two minutes. I am heartily sick of…20 Oct 2020HANSARDDivorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020My Lords, family courts have complained about trivial applications because of unresolved issues between divorcees. As a spouse can divorce their partner unilaterally, and the…13 Oct 2020HANSARDAmazonMy Lords, I confess that I buy things from Amazon, but I hate doing so because it is singlehandedly destroying the United Kingdom high street. Will my noble friend the Minister…12 Oct 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies BillMy Lords, it was a delight to hear the noble Baroness, Lady Hayter, move the amendment. I recall her saying in an earlier debate that everything that could possibly be said had…08 Oct 2020HANSARDParliamentary Constituencies BillMy Lords, I am delighted to welcome this amendment and to add my name to it. I can also be brief because of the excellent speech by my noble friend Lord Young of Cookham. I…08 Oct 2020