Contributions
332 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDIndependent School Fees: VATWhy not positively foster pupil migration from the public schools into the state boarding school sector, such as Keswick School, a comprehensive in the Lake District? They offer a…21 Oct 2024HANSARDIndependent Schools: VATMy Lords, I strongly support VAT on tuition fees. If parents want to avoid it, there is a perfectly acceptable alternative: send children to boarding schools in the state sector,…17 Oct 2024HANSARDHouse of Lords: Behaviour and CourtesyTo ask the Leader of the House what plans she has to promote awareness among members of the rules and conventions relating to behaviour and courtesy in the Chamber.14 Oct 2024HANSARDHouse of Lords: Behaviour and CourtesyMy Lords, having participated remotely in proceedings over three years, I have been able to observe from afar the conduct of Members. Do Members not realise how appalling the…14 Oct 2024HANSARDOperation ConiferMy Lords, I welcome what my noble friend has said from the Dispatch Box, but is it not time, with a change of government, to put this story to rest by holding a comprehensive case…08 Oct 2024HANSARDWild Atlantic SalmonMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Forsyth, made the case. I have six questions. Can I have a detailed response to each, following departmental consideration? First, on global warming…12 Sept 2024HANSARDUkraineTo ask His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held with European countries regarding Ukraine and its war with Russia.05 Sept 2024HANSARDUkraineMy Lords, while I recognise the loyal support of Labour in opposition for the war but equally that it is for Members to question strategy where they disagree—in my case with…05 Sept 2024HANSARDLeaseholders: Management CompaniesMy Lords, in conditions where leaseholder landlords living overseas remain uninterested in block management—their only interest being the rent—where in the Bill is the legal…20 May 2024HANSARDDefence FundingMy Lords, with the green savings bonds success in mind, would not it be appropriate, while considering the benefits and viability of a defence bond, to complement its introduction…16 May 2024HANSARDRural CrimeMy Lords, I congratulate the hugely experienced David Allen on his election as crime commissioner for Cumbria. With 47 million visitors to the Lakes annually and an associated…09 May 2024HANSARDHouse of Lords: ReformMy Lords, I will ask a very simple question. Due to the ageing nature of Labour’s membership of the House, we are now down to as few as 100 Labour Peers regularly attending…01 May 2024HANSARDHouse of Lords: ReformTo ask His Majesty’s Government what proposals they are considering to reform the House of Lords, in particular with regard to the size of the House.01 May 2024HANSARDTransport System: FailingsMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for calling this debate. I shall return to his comments later. My contribution had to be urgently amended late last night, following the more…25 Apr 2024HANSARDSocial Housing: Right-to-buy SalesHas not the now overreaching transfer of housing from public to private sector landlords led to an explosion in rents, costing billions in increased housing benefit? Why should…18 Apr 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform BillMy Lords, I congratulate my noble friend on the Front Bench on her very comprehensive canter around the course of reform, and I look forward to meeting her during the proceedings…27 Mar 2024HANSARDUkraine: Arms and Ammunition CostsMy Lords, as we approach US elections, Trump, a possible victor— who knows?—is threatening cuts, especially on arms expenditure for Ukraine. Are the Government and Parliament…26 Mar 2024HANSARDUK Tradeshow Programme ClosureMy Lords, with post-Covid demand for exhibition space now returning and with seed-corn start-ups reliant on new customer contact and wider market awareness, why cut or compromise…18 Mar 2024HANSARDOperation ConiferMy Lords, why perpetuate the existence of these allegations by refusing to establish the independent review we have all called for for years? No one has ever produced a shred of…11 Mar 2024HANSARDEnvironment Agency: Flood Defence ExpenditureMy Lords, why do we not just stop housebuilding on the flood plain, when it is quite clear that we have increased flooding due to climate change? The expense of Flood Re…20 Feb 2024