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2,386 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDGovernment Departments: Non-Executive DirectorsMy Lords, I shall pay close attention to my noble friend’s remarks. I agree that having a balanced and skilled board with a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds is vital in…01 Jul 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords ReformMy Lords, I will not repeat the answer I have just given. The commission is an independent, advisory, non-departmental body. It has an important role, but the sovereign, on the…30 Jun 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords ReformMy Lords, the Conservative manifesto committed to looking at the role of the House of Lords. That is the manifesto position. We are keeping these issues under consideration but…30 Jun 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords ReformMy Lords, my noble friend’s suggestions seem to arouse laughter on the other side. I strongly agree with him and suspect that many of the British people agree that this House…30 Jun 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords ReformMy Lords, I do not agree with the noble Lord opposite’s assertion, which seems one of the most sweeping examples of the generalisation of a particular that I have ever heard. He…30 Jun 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords ReformMy Lords, as we look forward, clearly that is an option for considering reform. I do not note enormous enthusiasm for that in the many debates in your Lordships’ Chamber. My noble…30 Jun 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords ReformMy Lords, we have an advisory House of Lords Appointments Commission, whose advice is given careful and full weight. The constitutional position in this country is that the Prime…30 Jun 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords ReformThe noble Lord writes his own history. I observe that, given your Lordships’ interest in the Burns committee recommendations, perhaps the Liberal Democrats should do something…30 Jun 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords ReformI would not agree with those generalised comments. I believe that all of us should be mindful of our manner of behaviour and our manner in referring to and engaging with each…30 Jun 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords ReformMy Lords, I always pay tribute to the noble Lord opposite, who has been a distinguished servant of this country, this House and the other House. When we are looking at the role,…30 Jun 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords ReformMy Lords, it is perfectly reasonable, given the House’s membership—not least the fact that its average age is 70—for it to be refreshed from time to time. I repeat an answer I…30 Jun 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords ReformMy Lords, on a cap on the size of the House, which we have frequently discussed, both the previous Prime Minister and the current Prime Minister have made it clear that it would…30 Jun 2021HANSARDSecurity of Ministers’ Offices and CommunicationsMy Lords, on private emails, government guidance is that official devices, email accounts and communication applications should be used for communicating classified information.…29 Jun 2021HANSARDSecurity of Ministers’ Offices and CommunicationsMy Lords, I cannot comment on the circumstances. The Department of Health inquiry, I would imagine, would look into all these matters, including who was and should be responsible…29 Jun 2021HANSARDSecurity of Ministers’ Offices and CommunicationsMy Lords, my noble friend reflects a concern that has been expressed across the House about the potential security implications of such devices being in ministerial offices, the…29 Jun 2021HANSARDSecurity of Ministers’ Offices and CommunicationsMy Lords, in the first part of her question, the noble Baroness followed on slightly from earlier questions. There are issues of clarity, and Ministers should understand what is…29 Jun 2021HANSARDSecurity of Ministers’ Offices and CommunicationsMy Lords, I hear what my noble friend says. I have referred to the different bounds and responsibilities that take place within the normal life of a Minister. I am not going to…29 Jun 2021HANSARDSecurity of Ministers’ Offices and CommunicationsMy Lords, I apologise to the noble Baroness opposite for not answering the question on CCTV, which was a lapsus memoriae—we are not supposed to use Latin, but it was. As I…29 Jun 2021HANSARDSecurity of Ministers’ Offices and CommunicationsMy Lords, as a Minister, I cannot comment on matters on the Parliamentary Estate, but I understand that the Lord Speaker has recently written to colleagues. This is a security…29 Jun 2021HANSARDSecurity of Ministers’ Offices and CommunicationsMy Lords, there is guidance. Obviously, guidance, as the noble Lord with his great experience will know, is reviewed from time to time. That is also the case in relation to FOI,…29 Jun 2021