Contributions
1,475 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, I served as Whip on the Bill in 1999 and I was present for every session. I keep the flame that, one day, we will deal with these issues in a substantive way. I still…09 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords—02 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords—02 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, my noble friend, whom I respect greatly and have worked with over many years, underestimates the calibre of many Members of Parliament. I take his point that many of the…02 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde, is nothing if not consistent on this issue. We voted together on the seven options that your Lordships’ House was presented with in…02 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, I am sorry to interrupt again, but this is a really important point. We have conventions. We voluntarily decide not to exercise all the powers that are given to us. Why…02 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillI note what the noble Lord says about the amendment of the noble Lord, Lord Brady, and the risk of first past the post in two Chambers. Although I agree with the principle of what…02 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillI am grateful to the noble Lord for finally giving way. He talks about the disabling of the Opposition. Would he like to explain to the House what his party did in Government from…02 Jul 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure BillMy Lords, I very much welcome the Bill, which I see as an essential foundation to building new homes and critical infra- structure. We simply cannot afford the current planning…25 Jun 2025HANSARDNational Policy Statement for Nuclear Energy GenerationI thank the noble Baroness.21 May 2025HANSARDNational Policy Statement for Nuclear Energy GenerationThat the Grand Committee takes note of the proposed National Policy Statement for Nuclear Energy Generation.21 May 2025HANSARDNational Policy Statement for Nuclear Energy GenerationMy Lords, the noble Baroness, Lady Bloomfield, is very experienced and knows that departmental spring is not entirely consistent with meteorological science. I very much take the…21 May 2025HANSARDNational Policy Statement for Nuclear Energy GenerationMy Lords, I welcome the opportunity to discuss the new National Policy Statement for N uclear E nergy G eneration EN-7 , which was laid before the House on 6 February. In…21 May 2025HANSARDNuclear: Small Modular ReactorsMy Lords, Great British Nuclear is overseeing the small modular reactor competition for UK deployment. Following a period of detailed negotiation, bidders have now submitted final…19 May 2025HANSARDNuclear: Small Modular ReactorsMy Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord on living in Suffolk. Only a few weeks ago I had a meeting with Suffolk local authority leaders to discuss these very matters. He is right…19 May 2025HANSARDNuclear: Small Modular ReactorsMy Lords, we inherited the regulatory and planning infrastructure that the last Government left. Indeed, we have set up a time-limited task force to look at regulation to see how,…19 May 2025HANSARDNuclear: Small Modular ReactorsMy Lords, that is a very important point. We have a national strategic skills task force, and a plan. We reckon that we already need 40,000 extra people in the industry between…19 May 2025HANSARDNuclear: Small Modular ReactorsMy Lords, the noble Lord is referring to the road map issued by the last Government. He will know that unfortunately it was not backed up by any concrete plan or resource, so we…19 May 2025HANSARDNuclear: Small Modular ReactorsMy Lords, we are well aware that both AI and data centres will lead to a major increase in electricity demand. We are also aware of experience in the US, and interest in this…19 May 2025HANSARDNuclear: Small Modular ReactorsMy Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Lord for his congratulations. What better way to spend my birthday than answering his Question? I understand his frustration. Of course,…19 May 2025