Contributions
126 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEconomic GrowthI am delighted that my noble friend Lord Swire finished on an optimistic note. I share his optimism—this is a great country in which it is very good to do business. I know this…23 Jan 2025HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) BillMy Lords, the UK remains the sixth-largest economy in the world if you look at crude gross domestic product. Sadly, the bad news is that it has slipped down the league of nations…06 Jan 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, I first congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Quin, on her entirely delightful valedictory speech. As she knows, I was once an MP for Gateshead, and I know her area…11 Dec 2024HANSARDHouse of Lords ReformLike the noble Baroness, Lady Mallalieu, I too welcome the conciliatory tone in which the Leader of the House introduced this debate. I welcome this debate, which is obviously…12 Nov 2024HANSARDHousing: Modern Methods of ConstructionMy Lords, we all know that we have a serious housing problem in this country. Any serious attempt to increase supply should include modern methods of construction. They do get…05 Sept 2024HANSARDKing’s Speech (4th Day)My Lords, I genuinely congratulate the Labour Party on its success at the polls, and I also congratulate our two maiden speakers on their first excellent efforts. My noble friend…22 Jul 2024HANSARDHigh Streets (Designation, Review and Improvement Plan) BillMy Lords, this Bill is about high streets. In my early life, I had the enjoyment of a great high street. Although I was born in the small Lancashire village of Grimsargh, from…17 May 2024HANSARDSafety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) BillThe noble and learned Lord quite rightly quoted the views of Sir Jeremy Wright, Sir Bob Neill and Sir Robert Buckland from the debate in the Commons on Monday night. He could…20 Mar 2024HANSARDSpring Budget 2024My Lords, as an economist as well as a politician, I have always believed that the economy should work for everyone. As a northerner, I am also keen on levelling up, because I am…18 Mar 2024HANSARDSafety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) BillMy Lords, I am concerned about Amendment 9 from the noble Lord, Lord Anderson, which on the face of it seems extremely reasonable. If new, clear evidence and facts emerge, they…04 Mar 2024HANSARDVictims and Prisoners BillMy Lords, the Committee listened with great interest to the remarks of the noble Lord, Lord Owen, and the honourable part he played in this tragic situation. I was a Minister of…26 Feb 2024HANSARDSafety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) BillMy Lords, I am sorry that the noble Lord, Lord German, could not move the amendment in his name. I can tell that House that he is a marvellous chairman of the Parliament Choir and…14 Feb 2024HANSARDSafety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) BillShe will be deterred because the Bill is designed to send people to Rwanda, with a very narrow area of exemptions for those who cannot be sent to Rwanda. That is the way it will…14 Feb 2024HANSARDSafety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) BillThe situation here is exactly analogous to that in Australia, which has been working successfully for 10 years. The other point in this debate, in reference to the interesting…12 Feb 2024HANSARDSafety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) BillI have two points. First, to correct the noble Lord, Lord Kerr, there is precedent in the Australian situation, in that, under the Australian rules, the Government of Nauru make…12 Feb 2024HANSARDRoyal Navy: Aircraft CarriersMy noble friend raised the question of risk in the Ministry of Defence. Is there not also the question of efficiency, particularly an ongoing question of the efficiency of…12 Feb 2024HANSARDSafety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) BillThe people who are being investigated in Nauru want to go to Australia. Similarly, the people who will be investigated in Rwanda want to come here. The situation is exactly the…12 Feb 2024HANSARDSafety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) BillI think the noble Lord means “outsourcing”, and it is precisely what the Australians do.12 Feb 2024HANSARDSafety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) BillMy Lords, I welcome the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Alton, about the tone of this debate, particularly in relation to the speech by the noble Baroness, Lady Chakrabarti. I…12 Feb 2024HANSARDSafety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) BillThey handed that responsibility over to the Government of Nauru and the Solomon Islands.12 Feb 2024