Contributions
516 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDGreat British Energy BillCan I press the noble Lord before he sits down? How is this amendment consistent with the conventions of the UK Parliament? It seems to me that it is not, and I would like an…11 Feb 2025HANSARDCouncil TaxI thank my noble friend, but how is it that a £12 million penthouse in Islington pays £1,000 less in council tax than a £1.5 million manor house in Hartlepool? It is eight times…03 Feb 2025HANSARDCouncil TaxTo ask His Majesty’s Government whether they plan to make council tax more progressive.03 Feb 2025HANSARDRegulated and Other Activities (Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse) Bill [HL]My Lords, I cannot speak too highly of the efforts of the noble Baroness, Lady Grey-Thompson; they must be applauded. My intention is to raise a narrow aspect of the issue;…17 Jan 2025HANSARDDrones: High-security PrisonsCan I ask my noble friend about Long Lartin? I am going beyond the Question, but is the safety of the inmates as such today that they are able to exercise in every exercise yard?…15 Jan 2025HANSARDEnergy Costs for BusinessesCould I ask my noble friend: is fusion energy still 20 years away, as it was 20 years ago?17 Dec 2024HANSARDBread and Flour Regulations 1998My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer. Will she formally thank the Opposition, who spent six years saying no and five years organising the consultations that have led…11 Dec 2024HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Brady of Altrincham, on his maiden speech. I will be very sad to lose my noble friend Lady Quin although, both as a Minister and as a…11 Dec 2024HANSARDBread and Flour Regulations 1998To ask His Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Merron on 11 September (HL Deb col 1562), whether it remains their intention to lay regulations before…11 Dec 2024HANSARDCladding RemediationWhy do the Government not arrange for the blocks of flats that still have dangerous cladding to be fitted with equipment to prevent neutral current diversions causing a fire in…25 Nov 2024HANSARDG20 and COP 29 SummitsWhile I applaud the Government’s policy of being civilised, nice and supportive of President-elect Trump because we have to work with him, will it be made abundantly clear,…25 Nov 2024HANSARDRenewable Energy: CostsMy Lords, I am voluntarily involved in a small Archimedes screw on the River Teme, generating electricity at Ludlow. Given that the UK cannot build railways as fast as the…14 Nov 2024HANSARDState Pension: Age IncreaseMy Lords, why is it that those who are above the state pension age, whatever age it is, and still working and contributing to society are not required to pay national insurance?…14 Nov 2024HANSARDHouse of Lords ReformMy Lords, to seriously take note of Lords reform, we really need to be aware of our role and function. It is not to be the Executive’s little helpers but to hold them to account.…12 Nov 2024HANSARDCommunity and Voluntary SectorMy Lords, I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Porter, on her excellent maiden speech. Last Thursday, at a fund-raising quiz in Ludlow Brewery, Susie O’Hagan, the chief…31 Oct 2024HANSARDHuman Rights Violations: Consular AssistanceTo ask His Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to create a legal right for British nationals to access consular assistance in cases of human rights violations.30 Oct 2024HANSARDHuman Rights Violations: Consular AssistanceIn the meantime, will the Government issue a warning to academics and curious tourists not to visit Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and China as these are locking…30 Oct 2024HANSARDChina: Human Rights and SanctionsI am astonished that the Foreign Secretary did not offer a Statement to the House of Commons but forced an Urgent Question, which has, of course, limited our opportunity to ask…29 Oct 2024HANSARDFood and Drink Industry: Processed SugarCan I remind my noble friend that, in 2010, when the World Health Organization held a major conference on reducing sugar, it held it in London for the very reason that the Food…14 Oct 2024HANSARDBread and Flour Regulations 1998I thank my noble friend the Minister for her Answer. On 16 May, the previous Government said that the regulations for England would come forward in July, on the basis of an…11 Sept 2024