Contributions
32 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSpring Forecast StatementMy Lords, I shall certainly miss the noble Lord, Lord St John of Bletso, around the place. With his economic and business acuity, he will be sorely missed—a real person in every…17 Mar 2026HANSARDFinancial Provision on DivorceMy Lords, I happily join the congratulations the noble Lord, Lord Mendelsohn, gave to the noble Baroness, Lady Deech, on getting this timely debate, and the firm tone in which she…10 Nov 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillMy Lords, I have two points that I wish to make. First, I do not support the Bill in its stated aims; neither do I support the increasingly strange and weird way it has proceeded…19 Sept 2025HANSARDProstate CancerMy Lords, first, the key word in my noble friend’s very important question is “proactively”. Axiomatically, it is Ministers who must decide to be proactive in the end, not…03 Sept 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure BillMy Lords, first, I declare my long-standing interest in Persimmon plc, a middle-market mass housebuilder. This position has given me a ringside seat to observe the vicissitudes…25 Jun 2025HANSARDInfected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2025My Lords, I listened with great care to what the noble Baroness, Lady Brinton, said, and I should begin by saying I agree with all the words of regret in her amendment. It seems…19 Mar 2025HANSARDAsylum Seekers: HotelsMy Lords, it has become something of a trope to call the first day of the third week in January—that is today—Blue Monday, when people feel at their lowest and nothing much works.…20 Jan 2025HANSARDDomestic Abuse: Victims and SurvivorsMy Lords, I take a pretty broad view of the phrase “domestic abuse”, for it includes not just men and women battering each other, using emotional abuse or battering children, but…12 Dec 2024HANSARDPublic Sector ProductivityOne aspect of the great productivity mystery and great productivity debate that I want to draw to the attention of the House is the relationship between productivity and the…09 Oct 2024HANSARDKing’s SpeechMy Lords, we are all lucky to have been here to listen to the notable maiden speech by my noble friend Lord Goodman of Wycombe. On the grounds of transparency, I must tell noble…24 Jul 2024HANSARDSkills: Importance for the UK Economy and Quality of LifeMy Lords, there is a lot of evidence that, once a certain standard of living is reached—economic security in particular—good relationships, happy families, and friends and…09 May 2024HANSARDHigher EducationMy Lords, of the three key words in the very thought-provoking Motion before us, and following the provoking and thought-provoking speech we have just heard from the noble Lord, I…07 Mar 2024HANSARDKing’s SpeechMy Lords, I hope that during this debate, and indeed all the days of debate that we face on the King’s Speech, we will not hear too much of what we are endlessly told about new…08 Nov 2023HANSARDUK: Violence Against Women and GirlsMy Lords, I will make three points about this very serious and demanding issue. First, dealing with it may take a much longer time than any of us would like; secondly, identifying…29 Jun 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillMy Lords, it is always good to follow the noble Lord, Lord Whitty, particularly in a debate such as this, where he has such a long and detailed recall of history over many…21 Feb 2023HANSARDParole Board (Amendment) Rules 2022My Lords, I rise somewhat nervously to speak, because I am not an expert in this field. I am not a lawyer. There are clearly many noble Lords in your Lordships’ Chamber tonight…18 Oct 2022HANSARDExtraordinary Funding and Financing Agreement for Transport for LondonMy Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Davies of Brixton. I will follow his excellent example by also declaring my interest as a resident for the whole working…09 Dec 2021HANSARDAdvanced Research and Invention Agency BillMy Lords, the general tone of this debate—one of overall welcome and support for the Bill, in reaction to what my noble friend said in his excellent introduction—was set, if I may…02 Nov 2021HANSARDAssisted Dying Bill [HL]My Lords, I wish to make three points. First, I am totally opposed to this Bill because of my belief in the sanctity of human life and because of its unsafe contents; I…22 Oct 2021HANSARDMerchant Shipping (Cargo Ship) (Bilge Alarm) Regulations 2021My Lords, I have only three points to make. First, I welcome the eventual bringing forward of these regulations, which have been on the shelves of successive Labour, coalition…13 Jul 2021