Contributions
241 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCommonwealth Heads of Government MeetingMy Lords, the Minister is absolutely correct that the Prime Minister regularly expresses a firm commitment to girls’ education; he did so again last week. Given that that is the…17 May 2021HANSARDRail Disruption: Social and Economic ImpactsMy Lords, I hope the Minister can reassure me that the 7.30 am train from King’s Cross to Edinburgh will be running tomorrow. More generally and significantly, have there been…13 May 2021HANSARDIntegrated Review: Development AidI begin by thanking the noble Lord, Lord Alton, for securing this debate and leading it in such an outstanding and comprehensive manner. He deserves, and we deserve, answers to…28 Apr 2021HANSARDOverseas Development Assistance: BudgetMy Lords, I note my register of interests. It is an absolute disgrace that, four weeks into the financial year, the Government are still hiding the figures for the organisations…27 Apr 2021HANSARDOverseas Development Assistance: Budgets and AwardsMy Lords, I draw attention to my entry in the register of interests and beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.22 Apr 2021HANSARDOverseas Development Assistance: Budgets and AwardsMy Lords, the Government have today published their planned expenditure for 2021-22. This Conservative Government won the 2019 election and their manifesto said: “We will proudly…22 Apr 2021HANSARDOverseas Development Assistance: Budgets and AwardsTo ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish a list of the reductions in Overseas Development Assistance budgets and awards for (1) 2019/20, and (2) 2020/21.22 Apr 2021HANSARDIntegrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign PolicyMy Lords, I should note my entries in the register of interests. I would also like to note that this integrated review is in many ways a development of the work of British…22 Apr 2021HANSARDAfghanistanMy Lords, I salute the efforts of our Armed Forces and of those development and humanitarian workers who have been injured or have lost their lives doing dangerous work in…21 Apr 2021HANSARDImmigration: Skilled Migrants from Commonwealth CountriesMy Lords, on that point, there has been and continues to be a particular problem of young people and teenagers, who have spent a considerable number of years in this country,…19 Apr 2021HANSARDNATO: Russia and UkraineMy Lords, in addition to combating Russian aggression, support for improved governance and strong institutions in Ukraine—helping it build a proper democracy—is vital. Is the UK…15 Apr 2021HANSARDClergy: EU Visas and Residence PermitsMy Lords, in questioning the Minister for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, I hope that it is appropriate to say that my noble friend Lady Kinnock of Holyhead was…13 Apr 2021HANSARDHis Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of EdinburghMy Lords, on this sombre occasion, I hope I speak for all those who have served in government and in the Parliament in Scotland since 1999 in expressing thanks for the service of…12 Apr 2021HANSARDPost Brexit: Economic and Political OpportunitiesMy Lords, as a Minister and as First Minister of Scotland, I was regularly engaged in developing negotiating positions and in other debates on the UK’s position in discussions…25 Mar 2021HANSARDSocial Media: Offensive MaterialMy Lords, this is not just a problem for famous people. If anything, it is a much more serious problem for members of the public. For example, mothers campaigning in Scotland to…23 Mar 2021HANSARDVSO: Volunteering for Development ProgrammeMy Lords, the Government have form on this: they announced the cuts to the ODA budget this year on the day after the last Summer Recess. The Chancellor avoided referencing the ODA…16 Mar 2021HANSARDIndia: Restrictions on FreedomMy Lords, in my view these reports of restrictions on freedom of expression and organisation in India follow directly from the decision in 2019 to end the autonomy of the people…15 Mar 2021HANSARDBudget StatementMy Lords, I have two points for two minutes. I start by referring to my interests as set out in the register and reassuring those who have made excellent maiden speeches today…12 Mar 2021HANSARDAnti-slavery Projects: CommonwealthMy Lords, development projects are essential to tackling slavery. It is therefore shameful and inhumane that, at this time when more and more boys and girls—particularly…04 Mar 2021HANSARDEU: Fishing Industry NegotiationsMy Lords, the Scottish seafood industry is world class but it has been let down by the lack of preparation for implementing this agreement beyond the negotiations, and by the…04 Mar 2021