Contributions
97 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCounter Disinformation UnitTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the work of the Counter Disinformation Unit and its impact on freedom of speech.18 Jul 2023HANSARDVetting Social Media AccountsMy Lords, the cancel culture to which my noble friend referred in his original Question is just one illustration of the Government’s distaste for challenge and dissent. Other…21 Jun 2023HANSARDStrikes (Minimum Service Levels) BillMy Lords, the Bill perfectly epitomises the sorry state this Government have reached and the escalating damage they are doing to our country. For context, I invite your Lordships…21 Feb 2023HANSARDMusicians and Creative Professionals: Working in the European UnionMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl for giving us the opportunity to debate this important subject. I am not in the habit of beating around the bush or avoiding the difficult topics,…07 Jul 2022HANSARDProcurement Bill [HL]My Lords, I will focus my remarks on what went so badly wrong with the procurement of PPE and how it should inform our approach to this Bill. I will also take this opportunity to…25 May 2022HANSARDLive Facial Recognition: Police GuidanceMy Lords, this technology is used by the Chinese Government to micro-manage the lives of its citizens, so its use here needs strict rules and effective oversight. In the absence…04 Apr 2022HANSARDCreative Professionals: EU ToursMy Lords, the UK’s second largest industry, the creative arts, was left high and dry by the Government’s trade deal with the EU. Touring in Europe is now almost impossible for…21 Feb 2022HANSARDCreative SectorMy Lords, I congratulate my noble friend Lady Featherstone on securing this debate and on her inspiring opening speech. I also welcome the noble Lord, Lord Spencer, to this House.…04 Nov 2021HANSARDBiometric Recognition Technologies in SchoolsMy Lords, I thank my noble friend Lord Clement-Jones for securing this important debate on a topic that has shocked the public and caused widespread concern and alarm. I also…04 Nov 2021HANSARDEuropean Union Touring VisasMy Lords, following the Government’s announcement on 4 August, I wrote to DCMS asking what, if anything, had changed for performers wanting to perform in Europe. Last week, I…14 Sept 2021HANSARDArtists and Musicians: Working in EuropeMy Lords, the creative arts sector was completely omitted from the EU trade deal, despite being the UK’s largest sector after financial services. The Government should urgently be…09 Sept 2021HANSARDAfghanistanMy Lords, I shall not repeat the many calls for urgent humanitarian action articulated by most of the previous 99 speakers around the House, which of course I support. In the…18 Aug 2021HANSARDSpywareMy Lords, in the wrong hands Pegasus is a weapon of war against democratic institutions. I did not believe the NSO Group when it told me that Pegasus is used exclusively on…21 Jul 2021HANSARDBrexit Opportunities UnitWhile the benefits of Brexit remain so elusive, should we not instead be tackling the serious downsides of the EU trade deal, such as the huge hit to our £111 billion creative…19 Jul 2021HANSARDDomestic Abuse BillMy Lords, it is always a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, who has made several powerful speeches during the passage of this Bill. I shall speak to Amendment 81 in my…15 Mar 2021HANSARDHauliersMy Lords, a highly successful sector of the UK haulage industry specialises in transporting staging, instruments and equipment around the UK and Europe for touring musicians.…04 Mar 2021HANSARDCounter-Terrorism and Sentencing BillI speak in support of Amendments 15, 17 and 18, which would remove Clauses 34, 35 and 37 from the Bill. Each of those clauses would, if retained, significantly increase the…03 Mar 2021HANSARDDomestic Abuse BillMy Lords, I support all the amendments in this group but I will focus my remarks on Amendment 167, to which I have added my name. This is a good Bill and it contains many well…10 Feb 2021HANSARDCounter-Terrorism and Sentencing BillMy Lords, I wish to argue that Clause 38 should not stand part of the Bill. In my contribution on Clause 37, I mentioned my general worries about the TPIM regime and how it…09 Feb 2021HANSARDCounter-Terrorism and Sentencing BillMy Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the right reverend Prelate, particularly because he and I are cuckoos in this nest of lawyers. I speak in opposition to the Question that…09 Feb 2021