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86 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDThames WaterMy Lords, I declare my interest as set out in the register. Thames Water bills went up around 40% to pay for the current AMP cycle. However, the present company structure means…17 Jun 2026 · 3d agoHANSARDThames WaterMy Lords, I must apologise to the House. Apparently, Members have to be more specific about their interests. I am a senior shareholder in the Water Retail Company. Are Defra and…17 Jun 2026 · 3d agoHANSARDEnvironment Agency: Waste CrimeMy Lords, I thank my noble friend Lady Sheehan for initiating this debate and for the work she did on the committee. I will speak first as an amateur archaeologist. That seems a…12 Feb 2026HANSARDListed Historic BuildingsThe right reverend Prelate raised the social good done by listed places of worship, of which half churches are listed—including, of course, the majority of all food banks that…14 Jan 2025HANSARDProduct Regulation and Metrology Bill [HL]My Lords, I will speak to Amendments 55 and 56 in my name. I start by commending my noble friend on the work he has done, over many years, in dealing with fire safety and issues…27 Nov 2024HANSARDProduct Regulation and Metrology Bill [HL]My Lords, it is worth mentioning because we have raised the issue and it is picked up whenever we discuss the danger. The actual danger of good batteries is extremely low. The…27 Nov 2024HANSARDDomestic Solar PanelsMy Lords, the Government have pushed for solar panels on roofs, but they have not got a strategy on batteries associated with those panels—it seems to be left up to the…25 Nov 2024HANSARDProduct Regulation and Metrology Bill [HL]My Lords, I thank the Minister for his extremely kind words, especially about the Private Member’s Bill I have taken forward on lithium-ion safety. In this regard, I thank my…08 Oct 2024HANSARDLithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL]My Lords, House of Lords Private Members’ Bills are rarely successful in reaching the statute book. I should know—I have introduced quite a few over the years. Their purpose is…06 Sept 2024HANSARDLithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL]The simple answer is no, I am afraid. Obviously, there will be a new generation of sodium batteries with their own problems, but they will, I hope, be extremely safe when brought…06 Sept 2024HANSARDLithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL]That the Bill be now read a second time.06 Sept 2024HANSARDLithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL]My Lords, I start with utter shock and surprise that the Minister could ask me to go down that route. It seems to be traditional on every Private Member’s Bill for that to be…06 Sept 2024HANSARDSouth West Water: Brixham ContaminationMy Lords, there is quite justifiable anger at the way that some companies, including Macquarie, have dealt with taking money away from water companies. The problem highlighted in…22 May 2024HANSARDEU Imports and Exports: Food and Agricultural ProductsMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh of Pickering, for initiating this debate today; it is incredibly topical. The only problem with being quite so topical is that…02 May 2024HANSARDEnglish Horticultural Sector (Horticultural Sector Committee Report)That this House takes note of the Report from the Horticultural Sector Committee Sowing the seeds: A blooming English horticultural sector (Session 2022–23, HL Paper 268).19 Apr 2024HANSARDEnglish Horticultural Sector (Horticultural Sector Committee Report)My Lords, I start my speech introducing Sowing the S eeds : A B looming English Horticultural S ector by thanking the noble Baroness, Lady Fookes, because, without her persistence…19 Apr 2024HANSARDEnglish Horticultural Sector (Horticultural Sector Committee Report)My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply; members of the committee still believe, I think, that more could be done with the response. However, now that I have the opportunity…19 Apr 2024HANSARDGas-fired Power StationsMy Lords, I have a question about baseload capacity. Under the present Government, the number of larger generators on the grid has fallen quite considerably. Due to that, we will…14 Mar 2024HANSARDCountryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (Substitution of Cut-off Date Relating to Rights of Way) (England) Regulations 2023My Lords, I want to support the Government on a couple of points, which I know the Minister will find surprising. Is it just me, or is it cynical to suggest that the date for the…27 Nov 2023HANSARDLevelling-up and Regeneration BillMy Lords, I will speak to three amendments in my name—Amendments 261, 262 and 263. These are probing amendments, on which I hope the Minister can give some clarification, as this…06 Sept 2023