Contributions
1,782 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCuba: Humanitarian SituationI suspect that the noble and learned Lord knows the answer to that question. We are members of the United Nations Security Council. We are absolutely committed to international…09 Jun 2026HANSARDCuba: Humanitarian SituationAs I said in answer to previous questions, we are engaged with the United States and with Cuba. We are encouraging the dialogue taking place between the US and the Cuban…09 Jun 2026HANSARDCuba: Humanitarian SituationI hear what the noble Lord says, but what the United Kingdom Government have been doing is engaging with both the United States and Cuba. We welcome the dialogue taking place…09 Jun 2026HANSARDCuba: Humanitarian SituationOn the latter point, my honourable friend the Minister in the other place, Chris Elmore, has been in touch with the Cuban authorities. He has also spoken to the Cuban ambassador…09 Jun 2026HANSARDCuba: Humanitarian SituationI thank the noble Lord for his series of questions but, as he is well aware, successive United Kingdom Governments have opposed the United States’ embargo on Cuba and have done so…09 Jun 2026HANSARDCuba: Humanitarian SituationI repeat what I have said before. We continue to provide support, primarily through the multilateral system, including organisations such as the World Food Programme and UNICEF.…09 Jun 2026HANSARDCombating Atrocity Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity and GenocideI thank the noble Lord. I add my tribute to the noble Lord, Lord Alton, for initiating this debate and for his continued work on human rights and civil liberties. He and I may not…04 Jun 2026HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Code of PracticeI do not accept the premise of the noble Baroness’s question. I said in response to the noble Baroness, Lady Stedman-Scott, that the EHRC itself last month outlined that it had…03 Jun 2026HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Code of PracticeI hear what the noble Lord says. What we do have is a decision of the Supreme Court and a decision of the independent Equality and Human Rights Commission about how that guidance…03 Jun 2026HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Code of PracticeYou are not going to ask on the football pitch or the rugby pitch. In the code, there are respectful ways to ask certain questions. It is not done, as the noble Lord pointed out,…03 Jun 2026HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Code of PracticeI hear what my noble friend says, but the ruling made clear that “sex” in the Equality Act means biological sex. That has implications for gender recognition certificates, which…03 Jun 2026HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Code of PracticeI think the noble Baroness knows my position. As I said at the beginning, the Equality Act is good law. The Gender Recognition Act is good law. The Supreme Court has made an…03 Jun 2026HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Code of PracticeI thank both the noble Lord and the noble Baroness for their questions and contributions. I start by picking up the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Scriven, and addressing the…03 Jun 2026HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Code of PracticeWe have to respect the judgment of the Supreme Court. It has interpreted the Equality Act, and I know that my noble friend—and I think everyone on this side of the House—is proud…03 Jun 2026HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Code of PracticeI hear what my noble friend is saying, and I think she had a response from my noble friend Lady Smith, the Minister, on Monday about that. I repeat that I and the Government are…03 Jun 2026HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Code of PracticeI am not sure I fully understand. I hope the noble Baroness is agreeing with me that we will take a common-sense, British way. I have been in a theatre when there has been a very…03 Jun 2026HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Code of PracticeEveryone must comply with the law. The Supreme Court decision is very clear, but it takes time to amend guidance and policies because, as I have said to the noble Lord before,…03 Jun 2026HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Code of PracticeI hear what the noble Viscount says. The Supreme Court judgment is clear about biological sex; we have to and we will ensure compliance. The independent Equality and Human Rights…03 Jun 2026HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Code of PracticeI come back to my original response. The idea that somebody is making a judgment because of the way someone is dressed or looks is inappropriate. I think it is pretty obvious if a…03 Jun 2026HANSARDFor Women Scotland CaseMy Lords, the Supreme Court ruling brings clarity for women and service providers. We expect all duty bearers to follow the law and seek legal advice where necessary, and this…27 Apr 2026