Contributions
2,386 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDProtocol on Northern Ireland: Disruption to TradeMy Lords, it is important that we are clear about the overall picture. One must not overstate individual anecdotes into a systemic picture. I acknowledge that there have been…14 Jan 2021HANSARDProtocol on Northern Ireland: Disruption to TradeMy Lords, the Government have been honest and have not been ideological. My right honourable friend the Prime Minister simply implemented the instructions of the British…14 Jan 2021HANSARDProtocol on Northern Ireland: Disruption to TradeMy Lords, I can confirm for my noble friend that Northern Ireland exporters will, as will those in the rest of the United Kingdom, be able to take full advantage of trade deals we…14 Jan 2021HANSARDElections: May 2021I certainly agree with the noble Lord that clarity is important. The planning assumption in the law is that we are proceeding with these elections. I take the point that he makes…14 Jan 2021HANSARDConstitution, Democracy and Human Rights CommissionMy Lords, as a very experienced Minister himself, my noble friend knows that debates are matters for the usual channels. He asked about progress with a constitutional review. I…14 Jan 2021HANSARDConstitution, Democracy and Human Rights CommissionMy Lords, the Government are not seeking referendums, although I understand that another political party in the kingdom is. We will not go in that direction. I certainly agree…14 Jan 2021HANSARDConstitution, Democracy and Human Rights CommissionMy Lords, those concepts are obviously extremely important and are no doubt the subject of continuing discussion in and across all parties. As the right reverend Prelate will…14 Jan 2021HANSARDConstitution, Democracy and Human Rights CommissionMy Lords, I am not sure about the proposition of a body. I think that, ultimately, authority to determine must reside in Parliament and in part in your Lordships’ House. I hope…14 Jan 2021HANSARDConstitution, Democracy and Human Rights CommissionMy Lords, those are two separate workstreams as part of the constitutional reform consideration that we are undertaking. As my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Duchy…14 Jan 2021HANSARDConstitution, Democracy and Human Rights CommissionNo, my Lords. I do not accept the characterisation of my right honourable friend the Prime Minister by the noble Lord, Lord Tyler. I must say that the Liberal Democrat party has…14 Jan 2021HANSARDConstitution, Democracy and Human Rights CommissionAside from the question of whether it be under the ambit of a commission, I believe that my noble friend puts his finger on something that is profoundly important about the way in…14 Jan 2021HANSARDConstitution, Democracy and Human Rights CommissionMy Lords, I have said that the Government are delivering the commitment in the manifesto to look at the broader aspects of the constitution in a range of separate workstreams.…14 Jan 2021HANSARDConstitution, Democracy and Human Rights CommissionI think that on reflection the noble Lord will think that he does a disservice to those serving on the Independent Review of Administrative Law, those reviewing under Sir Peter…14 Jan 2021HANSARDConstitution, Democracy and Human Rights CommissionI am grateful for the noble Baroness’s support for the approach that I have outlined. On her specific question, I cannot give a commitment on that at the Dispatch Box now, but I…14 Jan 2021HANSARDElections: May 2021My Lords, I apologise for being guilty of bureaucratic gobbledegook. At the risk of repeating an earlier answer, the most unprecedented pandemic for generations is raging in this…14 Jan 2021HANSARDElections: May 2021My Lords, the electoral authorities are in contact with those in local government who are involved in delivering places for the vote, which ultimately is returning officers. They…14 Jan 2021HANSARDElections: May 2021As the noble Lord knows, there have been by-elections in Scotland. But it is for the Scottish and Welsh Governments to take decisions around polls which are within their…14 Jan 2021HANSARDProtocol on Northern Ireland: Disruption to TradeMy Lords, I do not agree with the noble Lord in his overall characterisation of the position. This Government are absolutely resolute that Northern Ireland remains an integral…14 Jan 2021HANSARDProtocol on Northern Ireland: Disruption to TradeYes, my noble friend is right: the protocol and our implementation of it fully protects Northern Ireland’s status as an integral part of our United Kingdom. That must remain the…14 Jan 2021HANSARDProtocol on Northern Ireland: Disruption to TradeMy Lords, I can certainly give the noble Lord the assurance that we will work extremely hard to overcome difficulties. As I just said in reply to my noble friend Lord Caine, the…14 Jan 2021