Contributions
2,386 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDElections: May 2021My Lords, I certainly assure the noble Baroness that the Government believe that safe and secure elections are the cornerstone of any democracy. The law is that these elections…14 Jan 2021HANSARDProtocol on Northern Ireland: Disruption to TradeMy Lords, I am not following any further the comment that people did not understand where they were when decisions were taken on whether to leave. I believe that we should all…14 Jan 2021HANSARDElections: May 2021My Lords, our belief is that the elections can go ahead in the normal way in a safe and secure manner—and that is our objective—with the kinds of safeguards to which I have…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 2021HANSARDEssential Services: Large-scale TechnologyMy Lords, the noble Baroness makes a profoundly important point, which I agree with. I assure her that all the lead departments involved will consider her points. We must use the…12 Jan 2021HANSARDEssential Services: Large-scale TechnologyMy Lords, the NIC made some very important recommendations, as the noble and gallant Lord quite rightly says. It is an independent executive agency of the Treasury. A responsive…12 Jan 2021HANSARDEssential Services: Large-scale TechnologyI agree with my noble friend. In a sense, his question balances with opportunity the question of risk, to which attention was rightly drawn in the previous question. Technology…12 Jan 2021HANSARDEssential Services: Large-scale TechnologyMy Lords, the noble Lord makes some important points of which the Government are aware. I refer to lead government departments and their responsibilities. They are tasked to…12 Jan 2021HANSARDEssential Services: Large-scale TechnologyMy Lords, the specific question is outwith my area of responsibility, but I will pass the noble Lord’s comments on to colleagues in the Government, and I certainly note the…12 Jan 2021HANSARDEssential Services: Large-scale TechnologyMy Lords, once again this is slightly outside my area of responsibility, but the interests of SMEs are always of great concern to the Government and I will pass the noble Lord’s…12 Jan 2021HANSARDEssential Services: Large-scale TechnologyMy Lords, at my level in Government I will not comment on the final part of the noble Lord’s question. He is right that malign cyber activity, including by states, is an ongoing…12 Jan 2021HANSARDEssential Services: Large-scale TechnologyMy Lords, the critical national infrastructure includes elements of infrastructure that are critical to the availability, delivery and integrity of essential services necessary…12 Jan 2021HANSARDEssential Services: Large-scale TechnologyMy Lords, the noble Lord makes a very important point. Looking at the colour of our hair, he and I should declare an interest in this matter. We need to extend understanding and…12 Jan 2021HANSARDEssential Services: Large-scale TechnologyMy Lords, again, that is a very broad question, but the issues that the noble Lord addresses are extremely important and I take the sense in which he has offered it. Human…12 Jan 2021HANSARDEssential Services: Large-scale TechnologyMy Lords, the training challenge and broader apprenticeship challenge is ongoing, immense and growing, and I agree with the importance which the noble Baroness attaches to it. The…12 Jan 2021HANSARDEU-UK Trade and Cooperation AgreementThat this House takes note of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement reached between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Relevant document s : 32nd Report from the Delegated…08 Jan 2021HANSARDEU-UK Trade and Cooperation AgreementMy Lords, in opening in this difficult week, I affirm our unqualified and unending respect for this Parliament and its institutions, and for democracy and democratic decisions. I…08 Jan 2021HANSARDEU-UK Trade and Cooperation AgreementMy Lords, this has been a very long debate. First, I congratulate my noble friend Lord Wharton of Yarm on his outstanding maiden speech, which set a good tone for us in terms of…08 Jan 2021