Contributions
2,386 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDunlop ReviewMy Lords, there is no question of fear—although I always rise to answer the noble Lord with some trepidation. I give the House the best advice I can at the time, and the hope then…01 Feb 2021HANSARDDunlop ReviewMy Lords, the Government are fully committed to the Belfast agreement, which sets out the circumstances that would require a border poll. Those are that, if at any time it appears…01 Feb 2021HANSARDDunlop ReviewMy Lords, I have asked for a little patience from your Lordships’ House, but it will have been noted that you are asking for an early publication. What I would underline is what I…01 Feb 2021HANSARDDunlop ReviewMy Lords, my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is second to none in his commitment to reinforce the United Kingdom and to carry that work forward.…01 Feb 2021HANSARDDunlop ReviewThe noble and learned Lord makes a very strong point. I agree with him—and, indeed, with the preceding question—that that voice for the union of the United Kingdom should be…01 Feb 2021HANSARDDunlop ReviewMy Lords, in answer to my noble and learned friend’s opening remark about a republic, I cannot conceive that anyone would wish to remove Her Majesty the Queen as our Head of…01 Feb 2021HANSARDDunlop ReviewMy Lords, I can certainly tell the noble Lord that we attach the profoundest importance to all parts of the United Kingdom, particularly Northern Ireland, to which he refers. I do…01 Feb 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords: SizeI am certain that my right honourable friend respects the role and place of your Lordships’ House, as, I believe, for all the difficulties that there have been at times, previous…27 Jan 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords: SizeMy Lords, this was brought up in a previous exchange, I believe by the noble Lord, Lord Jay of Ewelme. The problem with the proposition posited by the noble Baroness is that an…27 Jan 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords: SizeAbsolutely not, my Lords. The perception of the House depends on the behaviour and conduct of the House. I am not going to follow, as I refused to before, any kind of ad hominem…27 Jan 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords: SizeI may be a little obtuse but I do not see the direct connection between general election expenditure and the House of Lords. The House of Lords, for which I have great reverence,…27 Jan 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords: SizeMy Lords, given retirements and other departures, some new Members are essential to keep the expertise and the outlook of the Lords fresh. This will ensure that the Lords…27 Jan 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords: SizeMy Lords, I salute the noble Lord for his service to his party and his nation in this House. One of the pleasures that I have had at the Dispatch Box—it has not always been…27 Jan 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords: SizeMy Lords, my noble friend makes a strong point. The role and performance of the House are fundamental to the perception of the House, as I said earlier. That is much deeper than…27 Jan 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords: SizeMy Lords, the Government’s concern is that the House of Lords operates effectively, as I believe it does. The noble Lord who asked the question was a private secretary to a…27 Jan 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords: SizeMy Lords, my noble friend raises implicitly the question of whether some Peers who are not legislators might be appointed. This idea has been put forward at various times…27 Jan 2021HANSARDHouse of Lords: SizeWhat I said, which I repeat, is that the previous Prime Minister did not accept the committee’s recommendation to commit to a specific cap on numbers, and that remains the…27 Jan 2021HANSARDSolarWinds CyberattackMy Lords, I apologise; I found it quite hard to catch every part of the noble Baroness’s question. I hope this is not an inadequate answer, but I am unable to comment on…25 Jan 2021HANSARDSolarWinds CyberattackMy noble friend makes some important points. Obviously recognising the increasing importance of this area, the government security group is leading the development of a government…25 Jan 2021HANSARDSolarWinds CyberattackMy Lords, perhaps the noble Baroness has better information than I do on the call between the President and the Prime Minister. The Government are certain that cybersecurity is…25 Jan 2021