Contributions
276 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPrisons: Releasing Women into Safe and Secure HousingMy Lords, I declare an interest as head of the Sikh prison chaplaincy service. Prison chaplains can play an important role in rehabilitation. Does the Minister agree that smaller…21 Mar 2022HANSARDUkraine: Visa Restrictions for RefugeesMy Lords, the Bible says that we should be kind to strangers. Would the Minister agree that the policy of the Government in that respect is not in accord with Christian teachings?28 Feb 2022HANSARDNational Disability StrategyDoes the Minister agree that a country’s civilisation is measured by the care and compassion it gives its disabled and vulnerable citizens—a role all too often left to charities…10 Feb 2022HANSARDCriminal Justice: Royal CommissionMy Lords, I refer to my interest as director of the Sikh prison chaplaincy service. Reducing reoffending should be a central aim in any criminal justice system. Does the Minister…07 Feb 2022HANSARDRailway Stations: FacilitiesMy Lords, the Punjabi word for travel is “safara”. Does the Minister think that this is an apt description of the difficulties experienced by disabled and non-disabled people…01 Feb 2022HANSARDMiddle East: Human RightsMy Lords, do any of the places visited allow those of other faiths, particularly non-Abrahamic faiths, to have their own places of worship and to practise their religion freely,…31 Jan 2022HANSARDUkraine: Military and Non-military SupportMy Lords, Russia should be completely aware of the serious consequences of military intervention. Too much “Just you dare” talk can elicit the opposite reaction. Nations, like…25 Jan 2022HANSARDMiddle East: Islamic Revolutionary Guard CorpsMy Lords, does the Minister agree that religious fanaticism, on which groups such as the revolutionary guard, ISIS, and some here in the UK thrive, is best countered by a far more…19 Jan 2022HANSARDRefugees: Mass DisplacementMy Lords, I, too, congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Alton, on securing this important debate on the root causes—I emphasise “root causes”—of conflicts that lead to the…06 Jan 2022HANSARDFreedom of SpeechMy Lords, I too am grateful to the most reverend Primate the Archbishop of Canterbury for initiating this important debate, and it is a real pleasure to follow the noble Lord,…10 Dec 2021HANSARDWhite Ribbon CampaignMy Lords, the commendable white ribbon initiative will clearly appeal to those appalled by violence against women, but it will do little to curb violent offenders. Does the…25 Nov 2021HANSARDIslamophobiaMy Lords, a phobia is a fear. An irrational fear of Muslims is best countered by leaders of the community explaining that discrimination against women and violent attitudes to…15 Nov 2021HANSARDRefugees: StatusMy Lords, the involvement of external powers, whatever their motives, dramatically increases the number of refugees, and this can place an unfair burden on neighbouring safe but…02 Nov 2021HANSARDAssisted Dying Bill [HL]My Lords, today we live in an increasingly selfish and uncaring society, in which euphemisms such as “assisted dying” for “assisted suicide” and, unbelievably, “compassion” have…22 Oct 2021HANSARDRoyal Navy: Ships and FrigatesMy Lords, the less money we spend on ships, the more we have to spend on social care. Does the Minister agree that, despite what we hear on the last night of the Proms, Britain…14 Oct 2021HANSARDAfghanistan: British Equipment and TrainingMy Lords, Afghanistan, like many of the world’s poorest countries, is, as we have just heard, awash with sophisticated weaponry supplied by Britain, the West and other “friendly…16 Sept 2021HANSARDEducation (Assemblies) Bill [HL]My Lords, business in the House is always preceded by Christian Prayers. We are reminded that, at all times, we should lay aside “private interests, prejudices, and partial…10 Sept 2021HANSARDEU Bilateral Agreements for Asylum SeekersMy Lords, does the Minister agree that asylum seekers who sometimes risk their lives in small, leaky boats, desperately trying to rebuild shattered lives, are human beings…06 Sept 2021HANSARDAfghanistanMy Lords, history records that the Indian subcontinent was repeatedly invaded by Afghan armies bent on looting and carrying off captives for the slave and sex trade. There was…18 Aug 2021HANSARDHuman Rights Situation in IndiaMy Lords, I thank the noble and right reverend Lord, Lord Harries, for securing this important debate. Partition of the subcontinent on the fallacy of irreconcilable religious…22 Jul 2021