Contributions
219 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBritain’s RailwaysDoes the Minister accept that we have spent many years listening to Conservative Ministers extolling the virtues of franchising, yet the White Paper acknowledges, in effect, that…24 May 2021HANSARDRailway Industry Association ReportThe Minister will be familiar with the east-west railway line connecting our two main varsity towns. She will also be familiar with the fact that the design was for a fully…18 May 2021HANSARDQueen’s SpeechMy Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the right reverend Prelate; I hope he will forgive me if I concentrate on other matters in the Queen’s Speech. Like other speakers, I welcome…17 May 2021HANSARDE-ScootersIs the Minister aware that Birmingham is one of the cities selected for the e-scooters trial, and that representatives of the blind and partially sighted community have expressed…22 Apr 2021HANSARDDomestic Air TravelMy Lords, does the Minister acknowledge that the speed of the French TGV had an enormous impact on the internal aviation market in that country and that timings under HS2 such as…20 Apr 2021HANSARDIntegrated Review: Defence Command PaperCan the Minister tell us whether the latest reduction of our Armed Forces will have any impact on the type of operation that the British military conducts in future? Can she…23 Mar 2021HANSARDNational Bus Strategy: EnglandMy Lords, I congratulate the Minister on the documents. Unlike the spokesperson for the Liberal party, I welcome it. The fact that she has embraced so many policies that the…18 Mar 2021HANSARDDrivers’ Hours and Tachographs (Temporary Exceptions) Regulations 2021My Lords, the House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee had, if not harsh words, some words of doubt about the Government’s proposals. Partly for those reasons, I…18 Mar 2021HANSARDHauliersMy Lords, I am less concerned with the supposed delays to heavy goods vehicles crossing the channel and more concerned to see that the Government meet their carbon reduction…04 Mar 2021HANSARDRail Freight: Channel TunnelMy Lords, does the Minister accept that only around 1 million tonnes of through-freight is taken across the Channel on long-distance freight trains from this country, whereas more…24 Feb 2021HANSARDHeritage Organisations: Coal SuppliesHas the Minister ever travelled behind a steam locomotive? Has he no sense of soul about Britain’s steam heritage? Is he not aware that steam locomotives are temperamental…21 Jan 2021HANSARDRailways: ElectrificationWill the Minister accept that these things, to use her words, take a long time because successive Governments, including this one, keep putting them off? Would it not make more…19 Jan 2021HANSARDNational Bus StrategyIs the Minister aware that the National Express route 11 in Birmingham is reputed, at 26 miles, to be the longest urban bus route in Europe? In 1979, the journey would timetable…16 Dec 2020HANSARDHigh Speed Rail (West Midlands–Crewe) BillMy Lords, I cannot hope to match the oratory of the noble Lord, Lord Blencathra, when he moved and spoke to these amendments. I have a great deal of sympathy for what he said, but…30 Nov 2020HANSARDHigh Speed Rail (West Midlands–Crewe) BillMy Lords, I question whether this amendment is appropriate for this Bill. My noble friend Lord Rosser talks about the inadequacies of the transport system in various terms, with…30 Nov 2020HANSARDHigh Speed Rail (West Midlands–Crewe) BillMy Lords, I am a supporter of this project and congratulate previous speakers on their support for the amendment. I suspect that the amendment comes about as a result of almost a…30 Nov 2020HANSARDHeavy Commercial Vehicles in Kent (No. 1) (Amendment) Order 2020I am grateful to the Minister for introducing the orders. However, she did so somewhat blithely, as if these were a couple of routine matters that could swiftly be disposed…26 Nov 2020HANSARDTravel AgentsI draw noble Lords’ attention to my entry in the register of interests. Would the Minister accept that the call for a dedicated Minister is no reflection on the way he carries out…23 Nov 2020HANSARDDepartment of Health and Social Care: Unpaid AdvisersMy Lords, many years ago, the then political editor of the Sun , Mr Chris Potter, told me that the main qualification for his role was the ability to translate the musings of…17 Nov 2020HANSARDRailways: Fare StructuresMy Lords, it is apparent that the Treasury will insist on an inflation-plus increase in rail fares next year. Does the Minister feel that such a policy will attract passengers…17 Nov 2020