Contributions
2,386 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDMobile Telephones: Public Emergency Alert SystemMy Lords, I again agree with those who have spoken that the ongoing response to Covid-19 demonstrates the value of a whole-community approach when responding to emergencies. As…21 Apr 2021HANSARDMobile Telephones: Public Emergency Alert SystemMy Lords, I do not acknowledge myself to be a ditherer or a delayer. So far as I am concerned, I am satisfied that progress is being made, since I am answering to your Lordships.…21 Apr 2021HANSARDMobile Telephones: Public Emergency Alert SystemI agree with my noble friend and pay tribute to him, and all those who have spoken, for their interest in nudging—I guess that is the word—this forward. My noble friend is quite…21 Apr 2021HANSARDMobile Telephones: Public Emergency Alert SystemMy Lords, that is slightly wider than my responsibility, but the Government are committed to extending coverage as far and as fast as they possibly can. On the specific question,…21 Apr 2021HANSARDGender-balanced Parliament and Male PrimogenitureMy Lords, many proposals have been put forward, and many have failed to find support. I know that my noble friend put forward a Private Member’s Bill in 2013 for a voluntary…20 Apr 2021HANSARDGender-balanced Parliament and Male PrimogenitureMy Lords, as the Prime Minister has made clear, we want to see more women in Parliament. That is a much wider issue than male primogeniture, but reform of the succession to…20 Apr 2021HANSARDGender-balanced Parliament and Male PrimogenitureMy Lords, I hope the noble Lord does not see in me a clone of the Prime Minister—my hair is a different colour, for a start. I would love to have the noble Lord as my deputy. I…20 Apr 2021HANSARDGender-balanced Parliament and Male PrimogenitureMy Lords, hereditary peerages are not currently created. There are life Peers in your Lordships’ House and the life peerage is gender-blind. There are 223 female Peers currently,…20 Apr 2021HANSARDGender-balanced Parliament and Male PrimogenitureMy Lords, the Government assent to the rule of law, and I believe that the law as is should be applied in this respect.20 Apr 2021HANSARDGender-balanced Parliament and Male PrimogenitureThe noble Baroness makes a very important point. Improving the diversity of Parliament is something to which I believe all political parties assent, and this Government no less…20 Apr 2021HANSARDGender-balanced Parliament and Male PrimogenitureMy Lords, it is not for me to comment on legislation in the forthcoming Session, but I would advise the noble Lord not to be a betting man.20 Apr 2021HANSARDGender-balanced Parliament and Male PrimogenitureMy Lords, a review is not currently under way. As I have explained, this is a complex issue and careful consideration will be needed.20 Apr 2021HANSARDGender-balanced Parliament and Male PrimogenitureMy Lords, I think we have discussed the issue of hereditary by-elections. On the matter of succession to titles, any change would affect many families, many of whom have no claim…20 Apr 2021HANSARDGender-balanced Parliament and Male PrimogenitureMy Lords, until we have full reform of your Lordships’ House, if Parliament decides on that, recommendations for life peerages are in the hands of leaders of political parties. Of…20 Apr 2021HANSARDGender-balanced Parliament and Male PrimogenitureMy Lords, I am sure my friends and I will read the views of my noble friend, and indeed all others who have spoken, with due respect. However, I believe that, at the height of…20 Apr 2021HANSARDGender-balanced Parliament and Male PrimogenitureMy Lords, the noble Baroness touches on another issue which has its own sensitivities. Reform of courtesy titles in the honours system as well as the peerage system—this is not a…20 Apr 2021HANSARDFinancial Services BillMy Lords, I join the expressions of sadness at the news of the death of the noble Lord, Lord Judd, such a tireless campaigner for all the causes he held dear. Even though we meet,…19 Apr 2021HANSARDFinancial Services BillMy Lords, again I thank all those who have spoken in this slightly shorter debate. I thank the noble Lord, Lord Stevenson of Balmacara, very much for his continued engagement with…14 Apr 2021HANSARDFinancial Services BillMy Lords, the Government have brought forward Amendment 14 to ensure that buy now, pay later products can be brought into scope of regulation in a way that is proportionate to the…14 Apr 2021HANSARDFinancial Services BillMy Lords, I thank those who have spoken. I have to say to many of them that, with great respect, I will disagree that these amendments are appropriate or effective. I must make…14 Apr 2021