Contributions
185 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration BillMy Lords, as the House knows, I have sat in a lot of these debates and never stood up to speak, but I feel compelled to speak today. I declare my interest as having been…05 Nov 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration BillMy experience is quite different. I have been a chancellor of two universities that have actually recruited students from all over the world—for education, not for any other…05 Nov 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration BillI want to follow the argument that the noble and learned Baroness tried to raise. Looking at the wording, I am afraid that the process would still be very long. The proposed new…03 Nov 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillI was hoping to hear an answer to the question posed by the noble and learned Lord, Lord Phillips: without a qualifying period, will employers take on people with a criminal…28 Oct 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) BillMy Lords, I want to speak to Amendment 75. There is a lot of wisdom in what the noble Lord has said. What happens when this reasonable force is being exercised by members of the…21 Oct 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration BillMy Lords, I sat through this wonderful Bill as it went through its Second Reading and through all its Committee meetings. I speak today because I have been moved by Amendment 177…13 Oct 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure BillI say to the noble Lord, Lord Lucas: does he want to accept these invasive plants? What about Japanese knotweed, which is in the schedule of wildflowers and illegal to perpetuate?…17 Sept 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, the concern of those who have spoken against Amendment 427C in the names of the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Manchester and the noble Lord, Lord Glasman, is, if…10 Sept 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure BillMy Lords, the greatest example of the gathering of rainwater that we can learn from is in Bermuda. They have stepped roofs made of limestone, so when the water lands on them the…09 Sept 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration BillMy Lords, I was not going to speak in this debate because we have had a fantastic presentation by the noble Lord, Lord Bach, and the legal arguments were made by the noble Lords,…08 Sept 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration BillMy Lords, I am also tempted to speak to the amendment tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Murray, but I will restrict myself to that from the noble Lord, Lord Browne, which seeks to…03 Sept 2025HANSARDEmployment Rights BillMy Lords, I will begin with an explanation. When I supported the amendment from the noble Lord, Lord Vaux of Harrowden, in Committee, there was concern about a risk assessment…16 Jul 2025HANSARDRenters’ Rights BillMy Lords, first, I support Amendment 105, from the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Manchester. I am very glad to support him; he and I have worked together quite a lot on…15 Jul 2025HANSARDFootball Governance Bill [HL]My Lords, I simply want to thank the Minister for her perseverance, for staying with the task until it is done, for her humour and for appearing truly human. She had quite a lot…15 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillI thank the noble Lord for giving way. First, was Elizabeth I wrong when she faced a huge Privy Council and said, “It is too large for good governance”, and immediately reduced it…09 Jul 2025HANSARDBorder Security, Asylum and Immigration BillMy Lords, first of all, I want to congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady May, for getting legislation about modern slavery on to the statute books. I want to say thank you very…08 Jul 2025HANSARDGiving Every Child the Best Start in LifeI, too, welcome this Statement—it is a wonderful Statement. The Minister’s opening remarks give hope. I have a particular interest, as I have two grandchildren in Luton and one in…07 Jul 2025HANSARDRenters’ Rights BillMy Lords, I support Amendment 48 from the noble Earl, Lord Kinnoull, not because he is the Convenor of the Cross Benches, although that could be a bonus point, but for three…07 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, noble Lords will remember that I intervened in a debate when we had been going on for hours and went on to actually address the issue in this small Bill. It is not a big…02 Jul 2025HANSARDChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools BillMy Lords, when I was a vicar in Tulse Hill in the early 1980s, five young women came to see me. Four had been abused by their fathers. The youngest was eight at the time it…09 Jun 2025