Contributions
85 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHouse of Lords: GovernanceI completely apologise; I probably missed her because of her mask. I think that this is one of the most important debates I have attended since I joined the House some 31 years…08 Dec 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords: GovernanceMy Lords, it is a great pleasure to follow our former Chief Whip, who has become much more benign—even cuddly—than he was in the old days. I thank my noble friend the Senior…08 Dec 2021HANSARDCovid-19: National MemorialMy Lords, I am very taken with the idea of planting trees; it has been done in other parts of the world. In the years to come, there will be many more victims of Covid-19, and it…08 Dec 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords: Remote Participation and Hybrid SittingsMy Lords, last night was the first time I have been back in this House for well over a year. I said that I thought the huge help we have had, particularly from the IT group, was…20 May 2021HANSARDQueen’s SpeechMy Lords, this is the first time I have had the pleasure of being in the Chamber for well over a year. The help and service from all those who have kept Parliament going during…19 May 2021HANSARDBudget StatementMy Lords, I am sure that the expertise of all our new colleagues will much enrich the deliberations of this House. The Chancellor’s support package during the greatest challenges…12 Mar 2021HANSARDBritish Armed Forces: Global BritainMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Lancaster, for introducing this short defence debate, so necessary in these perilous times. We have left the European Union but not Europe,…21 Jan 2021HANSARDEuropean Union (Future Relationship) BillMy Lords, when we last held a referendum on Europe in 1975, like many businessmen I strongly supported membership. The entrepreneur in me felt that to be part of a bigger bloc…30 Dec 2020HANSARDSchoolchildren: Dyslexia and Neurodiverse ConditionsMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Addington, splendidly keeps up a steady drumbeat of persuasion which, together with those of us involved in autism issues, has resulted in…04 Mar 2020HANSARDHealth: Learning Disability and Autism TrainingMy Lords, my involvement in autism over a number of years has been on two fronts. One is through Motability, where we are getting ever more people with an autistic background…10 Feb 2020HANSARDUK TelecommunicationsMy Lords, this subject is larger than telecommunications. After 31 January we will be ready to go global—widening and working together, particularly with the Five Eyes. What the…28 Jan 2020HANSARDQueen’s SpeechMy Lords, I appreciate being able to participate in this debate following Her Majesty’s gracious Speech on 19 December. I intend to speak on defence. I totally support the…07 Jan 2020HANSARDEssex: Major IncidentMy Lords, when all this happened, I remembered like yesterday the 58 Chinese people who died. Noble Lords might remember that at that time, in July, around 2000, the outside…28 Oct 2019HANSARDQueen’s SpeechMy Lords, before I start, I shall say how much I and, I am sure, all those in this House who are or have been involved in defence matters, would like to put on record the splendid…15 Oct 2019HANSARDBrexit: PreparationsMy Lords, three and a half years ago, I was asked to put together a team from my old company, P&O, to cover every aspect of transport in every form by land, sea and air. On what…08 Oct 2019HANSARDDefence: ExpenditureMy Lords, the defence of the realm is the very first responsibility of any Prime Minister and not a laughing matter. Over history, the frigate has been absolutely key. The old…17 Jul 2019HANSARDPeople with Disabilities: Reporting AbuseMy Lords, a reverse of the abuse that the noble Baroness commented on was highlighted at a meeting in this House only two or three weeks ago, when we had a whole load of…17 Jun 2019HANSARDDefence: British SteelMy Lords, in 2014 I commissioned a special document from the London colleges in connection with the value of defence procurement being sovereign and not overseas. The suggestion I…30 Apr 2019HANSARDPublic ConveniencesMy Lords, tourists worldwide judge places by the toilet facilities. Vast numbers of tourists come to this country. I have just come back from Australia and I have been all round…11 Apr 2019HANSARDNATOMy Lords, I have been involved with the Ministry of Defence since the Falklands War. Celebrating the 70th anniversary of NATO is more than justified. It has proved resilient…02 Apr 2019