Contributions
383 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSpending Review 2020My Lords, I will talk about overseas aid. First, I congratulate the Government on breaking the link with the hypothecation of government revenues, which is a bad idea in principle…03 Dec 2020HANSARDOfficial Development AssistanceMy Lords, first, does my noble friend share my concern about the whole principle of hypothecation of revenues being spent on particular areas of public spending? Why should…02 Dec 2020HANSARDEconomy UpdateMy Lords, are my noble friend Lord Robathan and I alone in worrying about the accumulated national debt? How much will this furlough scheme cost if it lasts until the end of…10 Nov 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Economy UpdateMy Lords, on the “Today” programme this morning, my right honourable friend Nadhim Zahawi said that the Government had to strike a balance between combating the virus and damaging…27 Oct 2020HANSARDUnited Kingdom Internal Market BillMy Lords, I join in the congratulations to the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman of Ullock, and my noble friend Lord Sarfraz on their maiden speeches, which I much enjoyed. I hope they…19 Oct 2020HANSARDHealth Protection (Coronavirus, Collection of Contact Details etc and Related Requirements) Regulations 2020I think that my noble friend the Minister would accept that these measures being taken to combat the pandemic have to involve a trade-off with what happens in the economy. If we…07 Oct 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateMy Lords, if I was diagnosed with coronavirus today and subsequently recovered or showed no symptoms over the next couple of weeks, in 27 days I might get knocked over by a bus…06 Oct 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateSweden did not go for a total lockdown, as we did in this country. Although there is some evidence that its number of infections is going up at the moment, it still has far fewer…23 Sept 2020HANSARDEuropean Union: Negotiations (European Union Committee Report)I do not know whether or not the noble Lord, Lord Lea, was on the committee. I am saying merely, as he did, that committees should be intelligent enough to reach their own…16 Mar 2020HANSARDEuropean Union: Negotiations (European Union Committee Report)The document that I am reading says that this statement was made on 18 February. That is quite a distance from 3 March, when the report went to the printers. I question whether…16 Mar 2020HANSARDEuropean Union: Negotiations (European Union Committee Report)My Lords, your Lordships’ House has always regarded itself as the guardian of our constitution. Of course, included in our unwritten constitution, although many people wish it…16 Mar 2020HANSARDEuropean Union: Negotiations (European Union Committee Report)Does the noble Baroness agree that if you threaten to walk away, you strengthen your negotiating position?16 Mar 2020HANSARDEuropean Union: Negotiations (European Union Committee Report)I thank the noble Lord for giving way. The issue that I was raising was why this was not considered in the report. It first came to light on 18 February and the report went to bed…16 Mar 2020HANSARDEuropean Union: Negotiations (European Union Committee Report)Would that not make a free-trade agreement easier rather than more difficult?16 Mar 2020HANSARDEuropean Union: Negotiations (European Union Committee Report)We could go on arguing about this indefinitely. However, the noble Earl is rather underestimating the intellectual abilities of his committee if it cannot reach a conclusion on…16 Mar 2020HANSARDEuropean Union: Negotiations (European Union Committee Report)That is the point I am trying to make; this should have been answered in the report. It does not matter where it comes from. Whether our closeness to the EU makes any difference…16 Mar 2020HANSARDJapanese KnotweedMy Lords, are not the professionals dealing with this in this country using Roundup? Is that not the most effective thing available at the moment? Does the EU not have plans to…12 Mar 2020HANSARDPalace of Westminster: Restoration and RenewalDoes the Senior Deputy Speaker share my concerns that this, like all public sector procurement, will drag on for much longer than planned and cost much more, and that, by the time…12 Mar 2020HANSARDEU: Future RelationshipMy Lords, my noble friend’s Statement has exposed the speciousness of the argument that for some reason the UK should be treated as a special case because of our proximity to the…27 Feb 2020HANSARDPublic Services (Social Value) Act 2012How do the Government actually measure social content when they come to award these contracts?27 Feb 2020