Contributions
377 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDArtificial Intelligence: Public ServicesThis Parliament and our Governments have a chequered history of procurement of software to be used in various government departments. Can the Minister kindly confirm that we will…06 May 2025HANSARDAI: Cross-sector LegislationIt is very encouraging that the Government’s AI opportunities action plan is proceeding, and I very much welcome it. The Minister just referred to the precautions—including the AI…29 Apr 2025HANSARDCambridge South Station: Car ParkingMy Lords, my noble friend raised a very interesting question about Cambridge South, which is more Hobson’s choice than Hobson’s Park as far as motorists are concerned, but there…22 Apr 2025HANSARDDemocracy and Unelected Strong LeadersMy Lords, we have all failed as politicians in our use of populism, rhetoric, abuse of social media and soundbites—finding easy solutions to complex problems. Does the Minister…03 Apr 2025HANSARDUK Resettlement Scheme 2025My Lords, I had the honour of being the Minister responsible for the conduct of the Bosnian resettlement programme in 1996 under the auspices of the United Nations. Although I can…27 Mar 2025HANSARDUK Energy: Grid DecarbonisationMy Lords—24 Mar 2025HANSARDUK Energy: Grid DecarbonisationMy Lords, there appears to be a contradiction. Certain Ministers are encouraging the farming industry to use as much of the good agricultural land as possible to produce food, and…24 Mar 2025HANSARDCommercial Vehicles: SafetyMy Lords, we are keen on safety throughout the country. Indeed, our own drivers are very well trained, in general, but there are real concerns that foreign drivers, who seem to be…19 Mar 2025HANSARDChurch of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) BillMy Lords, I rise with a certain nervousness to contribute to this debate. One might assume that, as an Englishman, albeit with Scottish ancestry on my late father’s side linked to…19 Mar 2025HANSARDOverseas Companies: UK-registered SubsidiariesMy Lords, is the Minister satisfied with the criteria deployed in having companies available to tender for public sector work, bearing in mind the failure of a number of leading…17 Mar 2025HANSARDNorth Sea Vessel CollisionMy Lords, it is very disturbing to see the visual displays of the Portuguese-registered vessel heading directly to the tanker. One sees this and, having a little knowledge of…13 Mar 2025HANSARDEast Coast Main LineMy Lords, as a regular user of the east coast main line—and acknowledging the fact that it is already in national hands—and despite the comments of other noble Lords, I take this…11 Mar 2025HANSARDErasmus ProgrammeMy Lords, we had a long debate in the House recently on the question of restoring a youth mobility scheme with our European partners. Is it not now surely time for us to proceed…05 Mar 2025HANSARDUK Border Strategy: Single Trade WindowTo ask His Majesty’s Government why they have paused the implementation of the Single Trade Window as set out in the 2025 UK Border Strategy (CP352), published in December 2020.25 Feb 2025HANSARDUK Border Strategy: Single Trade WindowI find that Answer somewhat disappointing and repetitive. I put it to the Minister that this trade window has been accepted. It was a Conservative proposal, which, for once, I…25 Feb 2025HANSARDGambling Levy Regulations 2025My Lords, first, I confirm that I have not been promoted and nor am I even a Whip who is able to take over in certain circumstances. I am not sure whether a colleague of mine will…12 Feb 2025HANSARDGambling Levy Regulations 2025The noble Lord is right. I do not think I can go much further because I am just making my views clear. I have certainly had direct contact with a number of organisations, in the…12 Feb 2025HANSARDCitizenship ApplicationsMy Lords, it is important to support in general this approach by the Government, but I fear that there is some uncertainty. First, in relation to those who come here to claim…12 Feb 2025HANSARDNational Lottery: Contribution to Good CausesMy Lords, when I was Minister for Gambling in the Conservative Government, we turned our backs very much against the idea of increasing gambling advertising, particularly on…10 Feb 2025HANSARDCar Parking CompaniesMy Lords, I declare my interest as introducing and taking through the House in 1889—04 Feb 2025