Contributions
112 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform BillMy Lords, I support Amendments 63 and 65 in the names of the noble Baronesses, Lady Taylor of Stevenage and Lady Pinnock, who outlined again the position on pension funds. I…24 Apr 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform BillTo clarify, I said specifically that people should not have their leases forfeited as a result of rent arrears. The threat of forfeiture can ensure that lease compliance occurs.…24 Apr 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform BillI am not talking about freeholders taking action against other leaseholders; I am talking about how one leaseholder may want to enforce a lease against another leaseholder. In…24 Apr 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform BillThe problem is that, if you try to enforce a lease, what is your route? The only other route would be to go to the High Court, and that would be a very lengthy process. I am…24 Apr 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform BillMy Lords, I declare an interest as a long-standing leaseholder, as I have done before. I support the expressed view of His Majesty’s Government on abolishing marriage values—I…24 Apr 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform BillMy Lords, I wish to address the issue of forfeiture and Amendment 55 in the name of the noble Baronesses, Lady Taylor of Stevenage and Lady Pinnock, and Amendment 95 in the name…24 Apr 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform BillMy Lords, I declare an interest as a long-standing leaseholder of some 30 years. I have been a leaseholder in apartment blocks in London, Kent and Somerset, and a right-to-manage…22 Apr 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform BillMy Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Adonis. I will come to ground rents shortly. I declare an interest as a long-standing leaseholder. The Bill before your…27 Mar 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform BillI did not say that at all. I said that I would have thought that the noble Lord would welcome an opt-out from the ECHR on this. If that is not the case, I am happy to accept what…27 Mar 2024HANSARDKing’s SpeechMy Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Bull, and her thoughtful and thought-provoking speech. I also agreed with the noble Baroness, Lady Deech, on her…09 Nov 2023HANSARDResidential LeaseholdMy Lords, as a landlord, leaseholder and former renter, may I ask the Minister this: since the Government seem to be backtracking on abolishing leasehold by the end of this…17 May 2023HANSARDHousing: Conditions in Rented SectorMy Lords, I declare an interest as a landlord and a former renter. I am all in favour of a decent homes standard, but when will the Government introduce regulation of letting and…16 Mar 2023HANSARDQueen’s SpeechI commend the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Guildford on his excellent and thoughtful speech. My Lords, I am very disappointed that the proposed renters reform Bill and the…11 May 2022HANSARDTaiwanMy Lords, this is a very timely debate, for which I thank the noble Baroness, Lady D’Souza, against the background of increased military activity around Taiwan, as noted by a…03 Mar 2022HANSARDUkraine: Minsk II ProtocolTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking (1) to ensure that all parties implement the Minsk II protocol, and (2) to defuse the tensions over Ukraine.26 Jan 2022HANSARDUkraine: Minsk II ProtocolI thank the Minister for that reply. The problem is that Russia does not see NATO as a defensive alliance—rather, it sees it as a group of countries, some of which are openly…26 Jan 2022HANSARDUkraine: Military EquipmentMy Lords, anyone who has studied Russia knows that if the Ukrainians try to retake the Russian-populated areas of Donbass and Crimea by force, Russia will go to war. Meanwhile, as…29 Nov 2021HANSARDSecret DocumentsMy Lords, General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, has said that incidents such as the recent confrontation with Russia in the Black Sea are “giving him sleepless…30 Jun 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Death Duties and Inheritance TaxTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, (1) to reintroduce death duties, or (2) to increase inheritance tax, to help pay for costs associated with the…24 Jun 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Death Duties and Inheritance TaxI thank the Minister for that reply but let us call a spade a spade: we are talking about death duties here, a tax on a deceased person’s estate. Would the Minister not agree that…24 Jun 2021