Contributions
2,386 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEU Exit: End of Transition PeriodMy Lords, I do not believe that this Government have a jingoistic attitude or one of superiority towards our French partners or any others. My belief, and that of most people who…24 Sept 2020HANSARDEU: Future RelationshipMy Lords, as expected, this has been a robust debate; I think that is the word often used in your Lordships’ House, which is why it is such a splendid House. I am grateful to all…23 Sept 2020HANSARDEU: Future RelationshipMy Lords, I am grateful for the opportunity to open this debate for this Grand Committee to take note of the United Kingdom’s approach to negotiating the future relationship with…23 Sept 2020HANSARDEU: Future RelationshipThat the Grand Committee takes note of the United Kingdom’s approach to negotiating the future relationship with the European Union.23 Sept 2020HANSARDBrexit: Civil Service CodeMy Lords, I think it is mildly wide of the Question before the House. Also, some quite serious allegations were made by the noble Lord. I simply repeat that there are very clear…17 Sept 2020HANSARDBrexit: Civil Service CodeI do not agree with that and I regret that the noble Lord—with his enormous experience in government, which I hugely admire—takes that view. Everybody in this House and outside…17 Sept 2020HANSARDBrexit: Civil Service CodeMy Lords, I am not going to repeat in detail any position that the Attorney-General may or may not have set out. There are traditional rules on that. The Government’s legal…17 Sept 2020HANSARDBrexit: Civil Service CodeYes, I strongly agree with my noble friend. I do think this is a matter that should be left to the judgment of the leaders of the Civil Service—the Cabinet Secretary of the time…17 Sept 2020HANSARDBrexit: Civil Service CodeMy Lords, the law officers act at all times in line with their duties and responsibilities, and I have every confidence that the law officers and this Government will continue to…17 Sept 2020HANSARDBrexit: Civil Service CodeMy Lords, I have not been advised on this specific matter within the devolved Administrations and in Northern Ireland, but I will write to the noble Baroness on the subject.17 Sept 2020HANSARDBrexit: Civil Service CodeMy Lords, all civil servants are subject to the Civil Service Code in supporting the Government to put forward the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill for debate in Parliament.…17 Sept 2020HANSARDBrexit: Civil Service CodeMy Lords, the situation should not arise because, as the noble Baroness has said, the new Cabinet Secretary has confirmed that he is content for civil servants to work on the Bill…17 Sept 2020HANSARDBrexit: Civil Service CodeMy Lords, as I have said, the Cabinet Secretary has made the position clear. All civil servants are of course expected to carry out their role with dedication and commitment to…17 Sept 2020HANSARDBrexit: Civil Service CodeMy Lords, I am not familiar with the reports referred to by the noble Lord, but neither I nor any other Minister is auditioning for a part in an Orwell drama.17 Sept 2020HANSARDBrexit: Civil Service CodeMy Lords, the last part of my noble friend’s question is again outwith the Question, but it is an important issue and one that the Government and Parliament turn their attention…17 Sept 2020HANSARDBrexit: Civil Service CodeMy Lords, I am not personally responsible for the reading habits of every member of the Civil Service, the special adviser corps or the Government. I am sure people have noted…17 Sept 2020HANSARDHouse of Lords: Number of MembersMy Lords, the size of the House of Lords needs addressing, but given retirements and other departures, some new Members are essential to keep the expertise and outlook of the…16 Sept 2020HANSARDHouse of Lords: Number of MembersMy Lords, the voice of Wales is extraordinarily important, and it is well served in this House by some of the outstanding Members who come from that great Principality. The noble…16 Sept 2020HANSARDHouse of Lords: Number of MembersMy Lords, the preceding Prime Minister did not accept the Burns committee’s recommendation that the Prime Minister should commit to a specific cap on numbers, and that is the…16 Sept 2020HANSARDHouse of Lords: Number of MembersMy Lords, the noble Lord sat in this House when it was much larger than it is today. So far as stuffing the House is concerned, Mr Blair put 374 Peers in this place.16 Sept 2020