Contributions
2,506 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNational Security (State Threats) BillI will finish this sentence, if I may. As we will discuss in later amendments, we have made some changes to help reflect some of the views that have been put to me. Ultimately,…30 Jun 2026HANSARDNational Security (State Threats) BillFor the avoidance of doubt, I quite like the noble Lord, and we have a good relationship on these matters. I think I have constructive discussions on these matters with both noble…30 Jun 2026HANSARDImmigration and Asylum: AppealsI try to be fair when dealing with the Opposition—if possible. In the years up to the general election in 2024, they suppressed the number of activities taking place in this…29 Jun 2026HANSARDImmigration and Asylum: AppealsI pay tribute to those who are doing this difficult and challenging job. We owe them a debt of support, and this is not critical of the way in which they have approached their…29 Jun 2026HANSARDImmigration and Asylum: AppealsThe Bill will be published tomorrow and will establish the framework for the body and examine in detail the issues my noble friend has raised. My right honourable friend who is…29 Jun 2026HANSARDImmigration and Asylum: AppealsIt is an extremely important point. It is self-evident that we want the individuals who undertake this very serious role to have the required training and support to do it in an…29 Jun 2026HANSARDImmigration and Asylum: AppealsThe noble Lord has detailed knowledge of this matter because he was responsible for the policies that led to the backlog in the first place. The Bill tomorrow will establish a new…29 Jun 2026HANSARDImmigration and Asylum: AppealsAgain, self-evidently, it is important that individuals who make determinations about life-changing matters have the support to understand the reasons why those decisions have to…29 Jun 2026HANSARDImmigration and Asylum: AppealsI am grateful to the noble Baroness for raising that point. If she will allow me, can I reflect on it? The issue is self-evidently important, but I cannot answer her question…29 Jun 2026HANSARDImmigration and Asylum: AppealsIf the noble Lord, as a past Cabinet Minister, has never trailed anything, I trust that he will stand up now and tell me that that is the case. I rest my case. But he raises an…29 Jun 2026HANSARDImmigration and Asylum: AppealsWe are moving at quite a pace. The Bill that establishes the new authority will be published tomorrow and has to make its way through both Houses of Parliament. The principle…29 Jun 2026HANSARDImmigration and Asylum: AppealsI remind the House that the backlog stands at over 151,000, but that that has not happened in just the last two years. It is the result of 14 years of individuals not being…29 Jun 2026HANSARDImmigration and Asylum: AppealsI am grateful to the noble Lord for his Question. In the Government’s Restoring Order and Control Command Paper, which was published on 17 November 2025, we announced systemic…29 Jun 2026HANSARDNational Security (State Threats) BillLife and diaries are fluid, but it will be before Committee, Report and Third Reading of the Bill next week. So it will not be after that. It will be before that. As we speak,…23 Jun 2026HANSARDNational Security (State Threats) BillAbsolutely. I will make sure that the reply I gave to the noble Lord in recent times is sent out, because this is moving at a fast pace and we are trying to get the matter sorted.…23 Jun 2026HANSARDNational Security (State Threats) BillI am happy to do that, but I want to give clarity on these matters. If the noble Lord will allow me, given that that has been raised separately, I will write to him with an…23 Jun 2026HANSARDNational Security (State Threats) BillMy Lords, I am grateful to the 24 noble Lords who have spoken in the debate, and I am particularly grateful, if I may say so, for the contributions from the Front Benches of HM…23 Jun 2026HANSARDNational Security (State Threats) BillThat the Bill be now read a second time.23 Jun 2026HANSARDNational Security (State Threats) BillMy Lords, it is my pleasure to open the debate on what is a vital Bill. I will start with the importance of the Bill and what it will achieve. I am pleased to have had an…23 Jun 2026HANSARDGrooming Gangs: Independent InquiryIt is an important issue that has been raised. I can give my noble friend the assurance that we will keep that matter under review. We have taken initial action in response to the…22 Jun 2026