Contributions
219 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHousebuildingI thank the Minister for that reply and welcome him to the Dispatch Box on what I understand is his first occasion answering Questions. Does he accept that statistics gathered…21 Sept 2023HANSARDHigh Speed 2My Lords, will the Minister go further in acknowledging the common-sense view expressed by the noble Lord, Lord McLoughlin? Will she also reflect on the fact that, so far, almost…19 Sept 2023HANSARDWest Coast Main LineMy Lords, would the Minister accept that I am one passenger on Avanti trains who is completely baffled by this decision? I do not wish to rain on the noble Baroness’s parade, but…19 Sept 2023HANSARDArmed ForcesMy Lords, I join noble Lords on both sides of the House in congratulating the noble Lord, Lord Soames, for obtaining this debate this morning and endorsing everything he said…07 Sept 2023HANSARDGreat British RailwaysMy Lords, the short response to that would be to ask why it has not been done before. The current subsidy to the railway industry is about three times more in real terms than it…28 Jun 2023HANSARDGreat British RailwaysTo ask His Majesty’s Government when they intend to bring forward legislation to create Great British Railways and progress contractual reforms for train operators.28 Jun 2023HANSARDTrains: Wifi Provision for PassengersMy Lords, if the wifi is taken off our unreliable Avanti trains, how will I be able to let the Whips’ Office know that I will be missing a three-line Whip? Is this not another…25 May 2023HANSARDBus FundingMy Lords—17 May 2023HANSARDBus FundingMy Lords, as the former chairman of a major bus operator, I tell the Minister that any financial support for the bus industry is more than welcome. But her announcement today…17 May 2023HANSARDMinistry of Defence Procurement: AccountabilityMy Lords, does the Minister accept that his initial response was somewhat flimsy, to say the least? Has he never read the Alan Clark Diaries ? Mr Clark, who was an expert in…29 Mar 2023HANSARDMinistry of Defence Procurement: AccountabilityHe wrote in his diaries that the procurement system in the Ministry of Defence was a complete shambles. Have we learned no lessons after 40 years? Have things improved since then?…29 Mar 2023HANSARDAvanti West CoastMy Lords, is the Minister aware that in the last quarter of 2022, Avanti achieved a historic low, with only 45% of its trains on time? Sad character that I am, I have looked back…23 Mar 2023HANSARDBus Industry SupportTo ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to support the bus industry in England following the end of the current bus subsidy arrangements.16 Mar 2023HANSARDHS2: DelayI express my sympathy with the noble Lord who has been lumbered with this job. It really is not fair, and it is a discourtesy to the House, to send a Whip—not untalented—to reply…10 Mar 2023HANSARDEurostar St Pancras: Border ControlIs the Minister aware that it is not just at St Pancras that these extra checks are causing problems? Eurostar trains have not stopped at Stratford International or Ebbsfleet…28 Feb 2023HANSARDFootball Governance White PaperDoes the Minister accept that it is important not to over-emphasise the role supporters can play in the running of football clubs in the EFL? I speak from bitter experience,…23 Feb 2023HANSARDRailways: Driver-Only Operated TrainsMy Lords, given that 45% of Network Rail stations are unstaffed and that a similar number are only partially staffed, does the Minister accept that that response does not reflect…08 Feb 2023HANSARDRailways: Driver-Only Operated TrainsTo ask His Majesty’s Government what representations they have received from organisations representing disabled people about the widespread introduction of Driver Only Operated…08 Feb 2023HANSARDRailways (Penalty Fares) (Amendment) Regulations 2022My Lords, I am grateful to those noble Lords who participated in the debate. My noble friend Lord Berkeley reminded me of my failure to mention split ticketing. I could have said…18 Jan 2023HANSARDRailways (Penalty Fares) (Amendment) Regulations 2022I do not regard that comparison as at all flattering.18 Jan 2023