Contributions
352 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDOlympic and Paralympic Games 2021My Lords, indoor climbing is one of the new sports for the Tokyo Olympics where we have a big chance of success in winning medals. Are the Government in close contact with the…28 Apr 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Overseas Development AssistanceMy Lords, considering the consequential hunger problems that have been identified, can the Minister guarantee that the UK’s support, including budgetary support, for the work of…22 Apr 2020HANSARDBusiness of the House (Virtual Proceedings and Topical Questions for Written Answer)My Lords, as a non-affiliated Peer, I wholeheartedly support the arrangements, including the ability of all Members of the House to participate. They seem thought out, fair and…21 Apr 2020HANSARDDivorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [HL]My Lords, I apologise for not having participated in this debate previously, but I trust it is in order to make a few remarks in relation to this amendment. In 2002, when I was…17 Mar 2020HANSARDCovid-19 UpdateMy Lords, will the Government be giving precise advice to agencies dealing with the homeless? Will care workers on zero-hours contracts who need to go into self-isolation be paid…16 Mar 2020HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) Bill [HL]My Lords, what has changed since the late 1990s? I suggest that two things have. The first is science. Out there is an army of people like my good wife, who are busy taking the…13 Mar 2020HANSARDSchoolchildren: Dyslexia and Neurodiverse ConditionsMy Lords, for nearly 20 years I represented primarily former coalmining families in the so-called red wall. The first thing I was told in a school when I went there after I was…04 Mar 2020HANSARDTree Pests and DiseasesMy Lords, I still have my PG Tips book of British trees—50 cards painstakingly plucked from individual tea packets and glued into my album. Sadly, I no longer have my I-Spy books…13 Feb 2020HANSARDIndustrial and Mining TownsMy Lords, former mining towns that voted more for Brexit than anywhere else in the country do not want investment that goes round them; they want investment in them—that people…13 Feb 2020HANSARDHate Crime: Anti-SemitismI refer to my declaration in the register of interests. As well as the bishops, six football clubs—Chelsea, West Ham United, Newcastle United, Bournemouth, Brighton and Crystal…11 Feb 2020HANSARDEuropean Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillMy Lords, it is a privilege to contribute for the first time. I thank the staff of the House for their kindness, wisdom and wit in recent weeks, and my introducers, the noble…13 Jan 2020HANSARD European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) BillIt’ll get rid of you!22 Oct 2019HANSARDOperation Midland Independent ReportHaving sent in a copy of the Geoffrey Dickens file, I was asked to meet Operation Midland, to which I explained in some detail why I thought its lines of inquiry were…07 Oct 2019HANSARDBullying and Harassment of MPs’ Parliamentary StaffThe Liberal Democrats have had problems, like every other party, but my specialism is dealing with antisemitism, and I will say that the only political party I have met in the…17 Jul 2019HANSARDBullying and Harassment of MPs’ Parliamentary StaffThe Leader of the House has made an appropriate point, but may I ask for clarification? A number of external members of the Labour party have been severely bullied and harassed,…17 Jul 2019HANSARDBullying and Harassment of MPs’ Parliamentary StaffMy colleague next to me, my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Justin Madders), has just reminded me of a point that I had omitted, but that I am now going to…17 Jul 2019HANSARDPension Liabilities: Plumbing Industry18. What recent discussions she has had with representatives from the plumbing industry on section 75 pension liabilities.01 Jul 2019HANSARDPension Liabilities: Plumbing IndustryMy constituent Margaret Briggs, having paid £21,000 over 11 years with four employees into a pension scheme, has in the past four weeks received a demand for £331,000. How is she…01 Jul 2019HANSARDDraft Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2019Okay, I will give way.27 Jun 2019HANSARDDraft Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2019I have attempted to read these documents, though it gets a little difficult because the Whips on the Labour side choose to put me on one of these Committees every single week.…27 Jun 2019