Contributions
154 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern IrelandCan the Minister explain why the EU could possibly think it reasonable to ban from Northern Ireland food that is legal in the UK and was legal both in the UK and in the EU when we…15 Mar 2021HANSARDBudget StatementMy Lords, this is the first time I have ever spoken in a Budget debate in the Lords and I am making my “maiden speech” only because I want to support the Chancellor at a time when…12 Mar 2021HANSARDProtocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland: Border ControlsMy Lords, the red tape of the protocol has made much business between GB and Northern Ireland uneconomic. EU spokespersons have publicly advised that the way in which to avoid the…04 Feb 2021HANSARDRetail Sector: UnemploymentMy Lords, is not the risk that the demise of vast outlets such as Debenhams will have a domino effect in reducing footfall for other shops? While it would be completely wrong for…27 Jan 2021HANSARDForeign Policy: UK-EU DialogueMy Lords, is it not the case that, for the most part, the whole idea of a common EU foreign policy was always more of an aspiration or a myth than a reality, particularly when one…14 Jan 2021HANSARDEuropean Union (Future Relationship) BillMy Lords, by this time everything that could be said has been said, but not by everybody, so perhaps I can be forgiven if I repeat two things: first, to congratulate my noble…30 Dec 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Transparency and Accuracy of StatisticsMy Lords, would the Minister agree that it is an extremely serious matter when the statistics authority criticises government advisers’ use of statistics? If the public are to…09 Nov 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateMy Lords, the Government have a very difficult task indeed, and I ask my question simply in a spirit of inquiry. I am puzzled by the latest graphs, to which the noble Lord, Lord…03 Nov 2020HANSARDUnited Kingdom Internal Market BillMy Lords, I want to concentrate on Part 5 and the amendment in the name of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Judge. I have already publicly criticised the statement by Brandon…19 Oct 2020HANSARDIran: UN Arms EmbargoMy Lords, I draw the House’s attention to the register of interests and my role as the trade envoy to Iran. While I totally agree that there are many legitimate criticisms to be…08 Oct 2020HANSARDHealth Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020My Lords, I have tabled this amendment to raise a few questions about the rule of six, on which I am grateful to the Minister for his comments. He has already conceded that there…06 Oct 2020HANSARDHealth Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020To move, as an amendment to the above Motion, at end to insert “but that this House regrets the failure of Her Majesty’s Government adequately to consult the public in the…06 Oct 2020HANSARDHealth Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020My Lords, I thank all noble Lords who spoke. We had an excellent debate, with many good speeches and many new points made. I also thank the Minister, for whom a lot of sympathy…06 Oct 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Act 2020: Temporary ProvisionsMy Lords, it is a very great pleasure to congratulate my noble and learned friend Lord Clarke of Nottingham, as I must pinch myself to remember to call him. We go back a very long…28 Sept 2020HANSARDFinance BillMy Lords, I thank the Minister for his observations and applaud the bold measures taken by the Chancellor and the announcement last week. Taking the measures as a whole, the UK…17 Jul 2020HANSARDCovid-19: EconomyMy Lords, I am not sure that the public are prepared for what we are about to face. Today’s headlines are about deaths and infections. In five months’ time they will all be about…04 Jun 2020HANSARDEconomy: Bank of England ForecastsMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that reply. The Governor of the Bank of England, commenting on the MPC report, said that it would not be until the end of next summer that…13 May 2020HANSARDEconomy: Bank of England ForecastsTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the forecasts for the economy included in the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Report and Interim Financial…13 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Medically Vulnerable PeopleFollowing up on the questions from the noble Lord, Lord Truscott, and the noble Baroness, Lady Thornton, when we eventually get to the stage of lifting restrictions I urge the…22 Apr 2020HANSARDBudget StatementMy Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord O’Neill, and I intend to agree with much of what he said. As the noble Lord, Lord Oates, said in his excellent speech,…18 Mar 2020