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HANSARDConstruction Sector: Roadmap to Zero RetentionsI agree with the noble Baroness that if we could achieve that, it would be a great result. One of the workstreams that the Construction Leadership Council is taking forward, as I…15 Dec 2021HANSARDPostmasters with Overturned Convictions: Settlement FundsBefore I answer the noble Lord’s question, I again pay tribute to the work that he has done over many years on this scandal to make sure that the world knows the truth about what…15 Dec 2021HANSARDPostmasters with Overturned Convictions: Settlement FundsI can certainly confirm what my noble friend has said in terms of briefings that I have given to Ministers. Indeed, similar briefings were given to me when I first started in the…15 Dec 2021HANSARDConstruction Sector: Roadmap to Zero RetentionsAs I said in response to a previous question, I agree with my noble friend that we need to try to drive some action in this area. But a statutory ban is a very blunt instrument,…15 Dec 2021HANSARDPostmasters with Overturned Convictions: Settlement FundsThis is a complex issue, stretching back over many years and perhaps even decades, with decisions taken at various levels of the Post Office—and, of course, before that, when it…15 Dec 2021HANSARDPostmasters with Overturned Convictions: Settlement FundsI thank my noble friend for his comments, but ministerial discomfort is nothing, and massively insignificant, compared to the injustices and discomfort that has occurred to all…15 Dec 2021HANSARDPostmasters with Overturned Convictions: Settlement FundsThat is not an entirely fair comment. We as a ministerial team and a Government inherited this scandal. We are making endeavours within the powers and legal procedures that we…15 Dec 2021HANSARDPostmasters with Overturned Convictions: Settlement FundsI agree substantively with many of the points that the noble and learned Lord made. He is tempting me to comment on the lawyers of his profession who took part in funding the case…15 Dec 2021HANSARDPostmasters with Overturned Convictions: Settlement FundsI thank the noble Lord, Lord McNicol, and the noble Baroness, Lady Randerson, for their points. Almost uniquely in my time on the Front Bench, I agree with virtually everything…15 Dec 2021HANSARDConstruction Sector: Roadmap to Zero RetentionsI can answer that question by saying what we have done in central government in my department: we have substantially abolished them. Most government departments have now got rid…15 Dec 2021HANSARDConstruction Sector: Roadmap to Zero RetentionsI am delighted to see that the noble Lord has turned up well dressed to ask such a noble question—he puts the rest of us to shame. My understanding is that the Ministry of Defence…15 Dec 2021HANSARDConstruction Sector: Roadmap to Zero RetentionsMy Lords, the Government are working in conjunction with the Construction Leadership Council to support the implementation of the Roadmap to Zero Retentions . Work is being…15 Dec 2021HANSARDPostmasters with Overturned Convictions: Settlement FundsI hesitate to give the noble Viscount an unequivocal assurance because no one can do that. I can certainly say from the current ministerial team that we are absolutely determined…15 Dec 2021HANSARDConstruction Sector: Roadmap to Zero RetentionsThe noble Lord is partly right and there will always be some who will oppose it, but the Build UK Roadmap to Zero Retentions has been developed and is supported by its many…15 Dec 2021HANSARDConstruction Sector: Roadmap to Zero RetentionsI understand that the noble Lord has strong feelings on this issue; indeed, we met to discuss this a few months ago and he has previously asked Questions on it, so I know his…15 Dec 2021HANSARDPostmasters with Overturned Convictions: Settlement FundsMy Lords, with the leave of the House, I shall now repeat a Statement made in another place by my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Small Business,…15 Dec 2021HANSARDPostmasters with Overturned Convictions: Settlement FundsI think the answer to my noble friend is that these matters will be considered by the inquiry. I may even be right in saying that court proceedings are ongoing involving Fujitsu,…15 Dec 2021HANSARDAdvanced Research and Invention Agency BillOnce again, I thank my noble friend Lady Noakes for her thoughtful and constructive contributions throughout the progress of the Bill so far. However, she will be disappointed to…14 Dec 2021HANSARDAdvanced Research and Invention Agency BillI thank noble Lords who have contributed on this group of amendments. Turning to Amendment 6 in the names of the noble Lords, Lord Clement-Jones and Lord Fox, the noble Baroness,…14 Dec 2021HANSARDAdvanced Research and Invention Agency BillI think the noble Lord will find, if he looks at my remarks, that I did not say that every applicant will pay fees but that there is a general expectation that a fee of $25 will…14 Dec 2021