Contributions
308 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHouse of Lords: Appointments ProcessMy Lords, I am afraid that what I am about to say is going to be very unpopular on all sides. I console myself with the thought that I am used to this; I was in the European…18 Nov 2021HANSARDHereditary Peers: By-electionsMy Lords, is this not really about good faith? I have not been here very long but some of your Lordships were here when a deal was done, establishing the current system pending…10 Nov 2021HANSARDMinisterial CodeMy Lords, until a generation or so ago there was almost no statutory regulation of Ministers, Members of the other place, or Members of this Chamber. Does my noble friend the…09 Nov 2021HANSARDCancer Drugs: Licensing and ApprovalMy Lords, some of the territories in the world which have the cheapest, safest and widest choice of medicines do not have their own regulators. Instead, they automatically…08 Nov 2021HANSARDNon-UK Residents: Property Ownership RegisterMy Lords, the pre-eminence of London rests on having light but effective regulation, a dependable common law system and uncorrupt judges, not on a cult or illicit money. Of…02 Nov 2021HANSARDExports to AfricaMy Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Chidgey, who brought such technical knowledge and experience to the subject. I begin by congratulating my noble friend…28 Oct 2021HANSARDTrade Policy: Environmental ConsiderationsMy Lords, I congratulate my noble friend the Minister and all the other Ministers in the trade department on securing a trade deal with our friends and allies in New Zealand. Is…21 Oct 2021HANSARDDrugs: Black ReviewMy Lords, will my noble friend the Minister consider the third option, not mentioned by my noble friend Lord Moylan; namely, a partial decriminalisation? The evidence from those…19 Oct 2021HANSARDHealth and Social Care Levy BillMy Lords, that is one way of putting it. This Bill has been so hacked about from every Bench, so lacerated, that it seems an act of almost wanton cruelty to take out my own…11 Oct 2021HANSARDBrexit OpportunitiesMy Lords, I very much welcome the Statement and the fact that my noble friend is here to give it. I very much welcome the report. I was astonished, when I was a new MEP 21 years…16 Sept 2021HANSARDEngland: Historic CountiesMy Lords, the maiming of our historic counties in the Heath years, with the destruction of some of the oldest political units in the world, was one of many lamentable acts…16 Sept 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland (EUC Report)My Lords, the Northern Ireland protocol stands on a palpable absurdity, namely the idea that checks on goods between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will upset the…13 Sept 2021HANSARDSub-Saharan Africa (Report from the International Relations and Defence Committee)My Lords, I begin by echoing the noble Lord, Lord Boateng, in congratulating all noble Lords involved in the authorship of the report, particularly their chairman. I learned an…08 Sept 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords Appointments CommissionMy Lords, everyone likes the idea of a neutral expert. One of the most depressing things in politics is how easy it is when you are on “Question Time” or “Any Questions?” to get a…06 Sept 2021HANSARDAfghanistanMy Lords, sometimes in politics there are no good options. You have to choose between bad alternatives: you can do X and ugly things will happen or you can not do X and ugly…18 Aug 2021HANSARDHydrogen EconomyMy Lords, I refer to my declaration in the register, specifically as an adviser to JCB. Batteries have their place, but they also have their limits. They cannot power planes,…19 Jul 2021HANSARDEducation (Environment and Sustainable Citizenship) Bill [HL]My Lords, I refer to my interests in the register, specifically as a professor at the University of Buckingham. Like so many people who have spoken, I congratulate the noble Lord,…16 Jul 2021HANSARDUK–Commonwealth Trading RelationshipMy Lords, we should guard against sentimentality. It is a particular temptation when discussing this association of nations to which we are bound by language, law, culture,…08 Jul 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Sentience) Bill [HL]My Lords, the debate on this amendment shows the fundamental problem of what is involved when an accountable Government pass some of their responsibilities to an appointed…06 Jul 2021HANSARDAnimal Welfare (Sentience) Bill [HL]My Lords, this is the first time that I have intervened in the Committee stage of a Bill so I hope noble Lords will forgive the solecisms and infelicities that follow. I am afraid…06 Jul 2021