Contributions
536 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNational Health Service: PensionsThe Answer that my noble friend has just given is most welcome, but it is perhaps a little tardy in the sense that this problem has existed for some time. The people who suffer…10 Jun 2019HANSARDNational Health Service: PensionsMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. In doing so, I declare an interest as a trustee of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund.10 Jun 2019HANSARDHousing: Social RentMy Lords, is it not encouraging that shared purchase, as a concept and now as a practical arrangement, is increasing? Are the new figures for council housing, which my noble…04 Jun 2019HANSARDHomelessnessMy Lords, will my noble friend bring us up to date on what is happening with new towns and green towns? The whole concept of new towns was to take pressure away from the…21 May 2019HANSARDHousing: No-fault EvictionsIs there not a wider problem? The latest statistics indicate that the number of properties available to be rented is falling at a time when demand is pretty firm. Will these…15 May 2019HANSARDSri LankaMy Lords, as many in the House will know, I have been involved with Sri Lanka for over 50 years and in considerable depth. As the House may recall, this is the second tragedy to…24 Apr 2019HANSARDRetailers: Business RatesDo Her Majesty’s Government recognise that the high street is still suffering and has been suffering for well over six years now? Against that background, should we not segment…08 Apr 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseWill my noble friend give way?04 Apr 2019HANSARDBusiness of the HouseIs not my noble friend right? I speak as a former Deputy Speaker—I was elected to carry out that role—as well as a former Member of Parliament in the other place. There was no…04 Apr 2019HANSARDAccess to CashMy Lords, is my noble friend aware of the great worry experienced by 17% of our citizens about their virtually permanent need for access to cash? Against that background, has my…03 Apr 2019HANSARDAccess to CashMy Lords, 17% of our citizens are suffering. Against that worry, is he aware that, while the Post Office and Nationwide are helping, the rest of the mutuals movement is…03 Apr 2019HANSARDAccess to CashTo ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to ensure that the public have access to cash throughout the United Kingdom.03 Apr 2019HANSARDBrexitMy Lords, it is a pleasure to listen to the noble Lord who just spoke, not least because he gave us an insight into Europe, which I do not possess. For nearly 25 years of my life…25 Mar 2019HANSARDBrexit: No-deal PreparationsIs my noble friend aware that the key element is the preparation by British industry and commerce? Is he further aware that I had the privilege of representing part of the East…20 Mar 2019HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Devolved GovernmentMy Lords, I declare an interest as a former PPS in Northern Ireland for two years. Against that background of experience, is it not clear, as the noble Lord, Lord Dubs, has said,…18 Mar 2019HANSARDArrangement of BusinessMy Lords, I had responsibility for taking the whole Maastricht Act through Parliament, and I know that it was virtually impossible to determine more than 48 hours ahead how long…18 Mar 2019HANSARDBusiness Rate AppealsIs my noble friend aware that this review is not before time, in that well over 10,000 appeals are bogged down in the agency at the moment? The challenge element does not work…25 Feb 2019HANSARDBusiness Rate AppealsTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to carry out a review of the “check, challenge, appeal” system for business rate appeals.25 Feb 2019HANSARDHousing: Private Rented SectorMy Lords, was this not an inevitable consequence of the Blair and Brown period, when there was an all-time low in new council housing builds? So those 13 long years not take quite…19 Feb 2019HANSARDSmall Business IndexIs my noble friend aware that there is concern among small businesses because their VAT and other returns have to be totally computerised by 4 April? Against that background, can…18 Feb 2019