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2,386 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsMy Lords, there is a difference in philosophy, which is unfortunate, in that the United Kingdom Government, the party opposite—I believe—we ourselves and the other parties…16 Sept 2021HANSARDGovernment: Leadership TrainingMy Lords, first, I thank my noble friend Lord Norton of Louth for bringing us here again, as the noble Baroness opposite said, on a Thursday afternoon. I said just before the…16 Sept 2021HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsWell, I do agree with that; indeed, it has been implicit and explicit in the answers that I have sought to give your Lordships. I believe profoundly that the peoples of these…16 Sept 2021HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsMy Lords, again I reiterate the importance of respect. The kind of authoritative statement that my noble friend asks for is not something that I am going to venture in five…16 Sept 2021HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsI thank the noble Lord, as always, for his constructive question. At the Covid recovery meeting in June, which the Prime Minister instigated, all present agreed to finalise the…16 Sept 2021HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsMy Lords, I am not directly responsible for the professional qualifications legislation, so I am loath to give an incautious answer, but obviously I will refer my noble friend’s…16 Sept 2021HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsNo, my Lords. I do understand that there have been rhetoric and statements about this. I repeat what I said to the noble Baroness opposite: the Government are deeply committed to…16 Sept 2021HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsMy Lords, as a proud and passionate native of Scotland, my noble friend brings pertinent facts before your Lordships’ House. I cannot answer for the actions of the Scottish…16 Sept 2021HANSARDStandards in Public LifeI was about to say that a number of checks and balances are built into these matters. Fortunately, we have a Whip here who is a check and a balance. I do not wish to take any time…09 Sept 2021HANSARDStandards in Public LifeMy Lords, I did not deny that there were cases of litigation. I was making the point that, in those cases, it was not necessarily the case that the PPE concerned was inadequate. I…09 Sept 2021HANSARDStandards in Public LifeMy Lords, it has been an extensive debate. It is customary on these occasions to say that it has been an outstanding debate, but let me not, on this occasion, be customary. Let me…09 Sept 2021HANSARDGovernment Departments: Non-Executive DirectorsFor those noble Lords who are not aware, I believe that the noble Lord is referring to the noble Baroness, Lady Stuart. I pay tribute to her outstanding contribution to the work…08 Sept 2021HANSARDGovernment Departments: Non-Executive DirectorsMy Lords, the noble Lord, as ever, raises a thoughtful and interesting point. I do not follow him entirely, because I believe that it is the essence of your Lordships’ House that…08 Sept 2021HANSARDGovernment Departments: Non-Executive DirectorsMy Lords, the noble Baroness raises an important point. I agree that every effort should be made to improve the standards that we have now. The more that appointments reflect the…08 Sept 2021HANSARDGovernment Departments: Non-Executive DirectorsMy Lords, again, I am not following any implication of disparagement of the honour of those who are serving as non-executive board members. The Government are grateful and I would…08 Sept 2021HANSARDGovernment Departments: Non-Executive DirectorsMy Lords, I repeat that the vacancies for non-executive board members are advertised on the Government’s public appointments website. Appointees are subject to a shortlisting…08 Sept 2021HANSARDGovernment Departments: Non-Executive DirectorsOn the gravamen of the noble Lord’s rather lengthy question, I repeat that I believe, and I think successive Governments have believed, that there is benefit in bringing the…08 Sept 2021HANSARDGovernment Departments: Non-Executive DirectorsMy Lords, on the first point, Mr Hancock is no longer a member of the Government.08 Sept 2021HANSARDGovernment Departments: Non-Executive DirectorsNo, my Lords, I cannot give such an undertaking.08 Sept 2021HANSARDGovernment Departments: Non-Executive DirectorsMy Lords, the code of practice which I referred to sets out at point 3.3: “The board should be balanced, with approximately equal numbers of ministers, senior officials and…08 Sept 2021