Contributions
276 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChinese Products and Companies: Human Rights ViolationsMy Lords, I fully support the need for sanctions against China and Chinese products for the gross abuse of human rights in the persecution of the Uighur Muslims and other…20 Jul 2021HANSARDAfghanistanMy Lords, many faiths—including a thriving Sikh population of many thousands—have had to flee Afghanistan because of the hardening of extremism, resulting from repeated invasions…12 Jul 2021HANSARDInternational Freedom of Religion or BeliefI thank the Minister for his very helpful reply but, as we say in deepest Punjab, fine words butter no parsnips. The report shows that ignorance and exploitation of supposed…08 Jul 2021HANSARDInternational Freedom of Religion or BeliefTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief Commentary on the…08 Jul 2021HANSARDChannel 4: Funding and GovernanceCan the Minister inform the House on whether BBC editorial policy trumps the law of the land regarding the legal rights of presenters and contributors? If so, should there not be…01 Jul 2021HANSARDMarriage and Religious WeddingsMy Lords, does the Minister agree with the words of a Christian hymn that “New occasions teach new duties; Time makes ancient good uncouth”, and that religion and religious…28 Jun 2021HANSARDBBC: Freedom of Information LegislationDoes the Minister agree that misunderstanding and misuse of religion is one of the greatest causes of conflict in the world today? When a BBC fundamentalist Christian producer…24 Jun 2021HANSARDHuman Rights at SeaMy Lords, more than 20,000 refugees fleeing conflict in the Middle East have drowned in the last six years, many as a direct result of bombing and missile attacks by countries…22 Jun 2021HANSARDPrivate Landlords: Tenants with PetsMy Lords, depression and loneliness have an adverse impact on health and cost the country millions. Having someone or a pet to look after takes us out of ourselves, and pets have…15 Jun 2021HANSARDConstitution Inquiry[ Inaudible ]—arrogant patriotism was an infantile disease like measles. In its new virulent form, it has led to Brexit and now threatens the union with Scotland. Does the…14 Jun 2021HANSARDNet MigrationMy Lords, the Home Secretary says that we welcome those in genuine need of sanctuary, except those forced to flee in small boats. Many of those people have lost their homes and…25 May 2021HANSARDFire Safety: Leaseholder BankruptciesMy Lords, the Government’s promise of a building safety Bill to reduce the possibility of future Grenfell-type disasters is welcome, but does the Minister agree that it is an…24 May 2021HANSARDRent Arrears: Covid-19My Lords, although the excellent furlough scheme has helped to reduce some financial suffering during the pandemic, the reduced incomes of individuals and households have led to…20 May 2021HANSARDRailway Industry Association ReportWhy Rail Electrification? rightly claims that electricity is the cleanest and most efficient power source for UK railways, but electricity itself must be cleanly produced. It…18 May 2021HANSARDCommonwealth Heads of Government MeetingMy Lords, I hoped that the Commonwealth would be recognised for its even-handed condemnation of the abuse of human rights—but this is not so. We stridently condemn human rights…17 May 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Support for IndiaMy Lords, India has brilliant scientists and the largest vaccine-making and exporting facility in the world yet its Government, referring to Muslims as termites, seem to be more…27 Apr 2021HANSARDCommonwealth War Graves Commission: Historical Inequalities ReportMy Lords, only after my comparatively recent criticism on radio that millions of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs had fought and died in the two world wars was it agreed by the Blair…26 Apr 2021HANSARDCovid-19: UpdateMy Lords, India being placed on the red list will cause real hardship to many UK citizens with close family ties in the subcontinent. Does the Minister agree that, while this has…20 Apr 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Pro-Democracy CampaignersMy Lords, while we all condemn the incarceration of democratic activists in Hong Kong, there is very little we can do to help them. Economic or cultural sanctions can be only a…19 Apr 2021HANSARDCrown Courts: Outstanding CasesMy Lords, the Covid pandemic has led to a surge of cases awaiting trial in the Crown Court. While the setting up of special Nightingale courts to help clear the backlog is…15 Apr 2021