Contributions
113 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDMinisterial Salaries (Amendment) BillMy Lords, in so far as this Bill rectifies an anomaly, it is to be welcomed. I very much endorse what others have said: of course Ministers should be paid. It has been a disgrace…14 Apr 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill13 Apr 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, Governments since 2008 have been committed to undertaking post-legislative scrutiny of Acts three to five years after enactment. In Committee on the Children’s Wellbeing…13 Apr 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, as I mentioned earlier, good law is a public good. It is essential that Acts deliver what they are expected to deliver, and not all do so, as the noble Lord, Lord…13 Apr 2026HANSARDTreaty Scrutiny in Westminster (International Agreements Committee Report)My Lord, I welcome this report and the reports from other committees, including the Constitution Committee, on the subject, but I rather regret that they are necessary. I was…16 Mar 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill05 Mar 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, the Government Whip may be pleased to know that my mother used to say that I spoke far too quickly. This amendment complements other amendments, which have been…05 Mar 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, the Minister’s response is not just disappointing but extraordinarily worrying. It suggests that the Government do not know what they are committed to. All I am seeking…05 Mar 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, there is a difference between reporting what is happening and actually reviewing an Act in its totality and—as my noble friend mentioned when we started this Bill, and…05 Mar 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill03 Feb 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, this is a big Bill. The noble Baroness, Lady Smith, has spent many hours at the Dispatch Box justifying its provisions. This amendment enables her to demonstrate her…03 Feb 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, the Minister’s response is disappointing. I am grateful to the two Front Benches for their very kind opening comments but in terms of the substance of the amendment, I…03 Feb 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, I reinforce what has just been said and endorse what the noble Lord, Lord Blunkett, said. He and I have made common cause on this for some time. I shall be extremely…03 Feb 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillI totally agree. I should have said that I regard this as necessary but not sufficient.03 Feb 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, I have no interests to declare, other than that I want legislation to be as good as it can be. I very much welcome my noble friend’s amendment because it provides the…20 Jan 2026HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill18 Sept 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, on my count, almost 20 amendments have been tabled to the Bill requiring the Secretary of State within six or 12 months of the Act being passed to promulgate some…18 Sept 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, given that, as the Minister said, she is just bringing to a conclusion her 12 days in Committee on the Bill, I was rather hoping that she may be a little demob happy and…18 Sept 2025HANSARDUK Constitution: Oversight and Responsibility (Report from the Constitution Committee)My Lords, I very much welcome this report from the Constitution Committee. I have a particular interest in that I was the first chair of the committee and was responsible for the…04 Jul 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights Bill24 Jun 2025