Contributions
262 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSouth West Water: Brixham ContaminationI thank the noble Baroness for her question. We have debated a number of times the issue of special measures, and I think I have been clear in the House every time I have stood at…22 May 2024HANSARDWater Companies: FailureThe noble Lord raises a very good point. Undoubtedly, mistakes were made in how water companies reacted over the past 10 or so years, when interest rates were very low. Now that…21 May 2024HANSARDAgriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2024That the draft Regulations laid before the House on 16 April be approved. Relevant document: 23rd Report from the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee. Considered in Grand…21 May 2024HANSARDWater Companies: FailureI thank the noble Baroness for her very comprehensive plan and look forward to talking to her in detail. In the meantime, I assure her that the Government and Ofwat, the financial…21 May 2024HANSARDWater Companies: FailureMy Lords, I declare my interests as in the register. As set out in statute, if a water company became insolvent or were in serious breach of its principal statutory duties or an…21 May 2024HANSARDWater Companies: FailureI absolutely assure the right reverend Prelate that this would be the case. If a water company were to go into administration, the special administrator would take control of the…21 May 2024HANSARDWater Companies: FailureThe noble Lord cited a number of very detailed figures, which I know he is prone to doing, so forgive me if I do not know the detail on that. Since privatisation, the private…21 May 2024HANSARDWater Companies: FailureI do not actually agree with the noble Lord fully. I accept that a number of the water companies are not performing to the right standard. The Government have been very clear that…21 May 2024HANSARDWater Companies: FailureI will just drink this glass of water—bottled water. I assure the noble Baroness that it is very good.21 May 2024HANSARDWater Companies: FailureThe noble Lord makes a very good point, which was touched on by the noble Lord, Lord Grade, on the behaviour of some of the previous shareholders and owners of water companies. I…21 May 2024HANSARDWater Companies: FailureMy Lords, there is a high bar for the imposition of a special administration regime. A variety of options remain available to Thames Water in securing additional finance and it is…21 May 2024HANSARDWater Companies: FailureThe noble Baroness raises a very serious point, despite all the laughter. One recent example of contaminated water has been extremely challenging, but the water company has…21 May 2024HANSARDAgriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2024That the Grand Committee do consider the Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2024.20 May 2024HANSARDAgriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2024My Lords, I declare my interests as set out in the register. This instrument continues the important agricultural reforms we are making in England. Through these reforms, we are…20 May 2024HANSARDAgriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2024I thank all noble Lords who have contributed to this debate and I welcome the strong level of support across the House, largely, for these measures. I start by addressing one or…20 May 2024HANSARDAgriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2024I thank the noble Lord for that helpful clarification. There is a lot in that, and if I may I will write to him with the details rather than go through them all now. Unless…20 May 2024HANSARDAgriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2024It is pretty early days in this transition, so I am not anticipating that we would have that evidence. We do a lot of consultation directly with farmers and with the industry…20 May 2024HANSARDManagement of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024My Lords, I declare my interests as set out in the register. I am sure that many noble Lords will agree that hedgerows are precious features of our landscape, enriching our…20 May 2024HANSARDManagement of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024That the Grand Committee do consider the Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024. Relevant document: 23rd Report from the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee20 May 2024HANSARDManagement of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024My apologies—I think I can answer that question. Those are not covered by these regulations but they are being consulted on under the new ELMs model, so they will be included…20 May 2024