Contributions
2,386 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDissolution and Calling of Parliament BillMy Lords, I promised I would look up my personal record on that Bill. I have not done so, but I would be surprised if my name featured very heavily. Anyway, it is being done away…09 Feb 2022HANSARDDissolution and Calling of Parliament BillI fear I must say to the noble Lord, who I greatly respect and admire, that I simply stated a feature of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act that the party opposite wishes to retain:…09 Feb 2022HANSARDDissolution and Calling of Parliament BillMy Lords, I do not think it is an either/or question. If I may use a phrase that was once popular on the Benches opposite, there is third way, which is to have neither of those…09 Feb 2022HANSARDDissolution and Calling of Parliament BillMy Lords, I reject those remarks—in a friendly manner, of course. I do not think it is in any way offensive for a Minister at the Dispatch Box, or any other Member of your…09 Feb 2022HANSARDDissolution and Calling of Parliament BillIt is the launching of a ship of uncertainty in which many questions are unanswered.09 Feb 2022HANSARDRepresentation of the People (Proxy Vote Applications) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2022My Lords, the instrument brought forward today makes a practical provision to continue support of the effective administration of elections. It does this by extending the…08 Feb 2022HANSARDRepresentation of the People (Proxy Vote Applications) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2022That the Grand Committee do consider the Representation of the People (Proxy Vote Applications) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2022. Relevant document: 27th Report from the…08 Feb 2022HANSARDRepresentation of the People (Proxy Vote Applications) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2022My Lords, I am disappointed by my noble friend’s comment. I regret that he is disappointed. The regulations we put in place were clearly time-limited and intended to be so. I…08 Feb 2022HANSARDRepresentation of the People (Proxy Vote Applications) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2022My Lords, I thank all those who have taken part in this short debate, and I particularly welcome the general support given on behalf of all parties, starting with the noble Lord,…08 Feb 2022HANSARDVeterans’ Strategy Action Plan: Gambling AddictionMy Lords, I pay tribute to the noble Lord’s work in this area. I will not allow myself to venture into personal opinions on gambling—I am answering as a Minister. We are grateful…27 Jan 2022HANSARDVeterans’ Strategy Action Plan: Gambling AddictionI do not detract from the significance of what the noble Lord said, with his very great experience. The reality is that this Government take seriously the gambling concerns and…27 Jan 2022HANSARDVeterans’ Strategy Action Plan: Gambling AddictionThere is a Gambling Act review, which I know that some noble Lords will feel is taking a little time. It will be, and is, the most thorough review of gambling law since the Labour…27 Jan 2022HANSARDVeterans’ Strategy Action Plan: Gambling AddictionAs I have already said, the Government are grateful to the RAF Benevolent Fund and are considering that research. The NHS long-term plan is addressing provision for those who have…27 Jan 2022HANSARDVeterans’ Strategy Action Plan: Gambling AddictionI pay tribute to my noble friend and others on all Benches who have campaigned on this matter. I am pleased to tell him that setting up this process is not the end; the end is the…27 Jan 2022HANSARDVeterans’ Strategy Action Plan: Gambling AddictionI am sure that my colleagues will take note of everything said in this House; I certainly promise the noble Baroness that. I remind the House, if anyone doubts this Government’s…27 Jan 2022HANSARDVeterans’ Strategy Action Plan: Gambling AddictionMy noble friend puts me in a dangerous place. The Government’s answer—and it is right—is to undertake as comprehensive a review of the Gambling Act as there has ever been, and…27 Jan 2022HANSARDMinisterial CodeYes, my Lords. Like all Ministers, I assented to the Ministerial Code on entering office, as I am sure all those in this House in all parties who have had the honour of serving as…27 Jan 2022HANSARDMinisterial CodeMy Lords, again, I listen respectfully to the noble Baroness and to all in the House. I stand on the answer I gave that it is for Ministers to decide how to justify their actions…27 Jan 2022HANSARDMinisterial CodeMy Lords, as I said in my original Answer, Ministers are personally responsible for deciding how to act and conduct themselves in the light of the code, and for justifying their…27 Jan 2022HANSARDMinisterial CodeThe noble Lord started off with “scandal” and retreated to “apparent contradiction”. I would advise him and others to refer both to the statement put out by my noble friend Lord…27 Jan 2022