Contributions
453 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEconomic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) BillI will quickly add to the comments from the noble Lord, Lord Pannick. Clause 16 sets out the regulations must “make provision … about the information that must be verified … about…14 Mar 2022HANSARDEconomic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) BillMy Lords, I support most of the amendments in the group, including the government amendments, which are generally very helpful. I will speak to Amendment 24 in my name and to the…14 Mar 2022HANSARDEconomic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) BillMy Lords, we find ourselves in an unusual position. Normally, this House is trying to knock the edges off overzealous legislation and limit the powers the Government have a…14 Mar 2022HANSARDEconomic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) BillMy Lords, I remind the House of my interest as a chartered accountant—which I hesitate to do after the last speech, I have to say. Like most noble Lords, I welcome this Bill,…09 Mar 2022HANSARDEconomic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) BillThe Minister has not answered the question about why the register is updated annually, not 14 days after a transaction in the way that the PSC rules have to be updated.09 Mar 2022HANSARDNuclear Energy (Financing) BillBut the whole point of Clause 40 is to create an exemption, so that share security rights that arise from debt are not taken into consideration when deciding whether someone is…08 Mar 2022HANSARDNuclear Energy (Financing) BillWhen the Minister was answering on Amendment 42, I think that she confirmed the existence of the loophole that I had pointed out, so I will just ask her a direct question. If…08 Mar 2022HANSARDNuclear Energy (Financing) BillMy Lords, first I should apologise for not being able to take part in the Second Reading of the Bill. I therefore start by stating that I generally support the Bill, for two…08 Mar 2022HANSARDNuclear Energy (Financing) BillMy Lords, my Amendment 42 to Clause 40 is loosely related to decommissioning, which is why it is in this group, but perhaps slightly niche or tangential. It is important that…08 Mar 2022HANSARDEconomic Crime: Planned Government BillMy Lords, it seems that this Bill will be some time in coming, but surely there are things we can do more quickly. For example, the Companies Act 2006 sets out clearly what…31 Jan 2022HANSARDCoronavirus Grants: FraudMy Lords, the sorts of fraud that we heard so vividly described yesterday would have been a lot more difficult if directors’ identities had to be verified. The Government…25 Jan 2022HANSARDFinancial Fraud: Vulnerable PeopleI congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Sharkey, on securing this short debate on what is becoming an increasingly serious problem, as he so eloquently set out. I at last detect that…02 Dec 2021HANSARDCompanies (Strategic Report) (Climate-related Financial Disclosure) Regulations 2021My Lords, I understand and welcome the principle of the regulations—to ensure that large companies state what they are doing about climate risks and opportunities—but I have one…30 Nov 2021HANSARDParliamentary Works Sponsor Body: Annual ReportI was just saying that the intrusive surveys that were supposed to take place in the current financial year have now been delayed until the next financial year. That begs the…16 Nov 2021HANSARDParliamentary Works Sponsor Body: Annual ReportMy Lords, I want to say at the start that I am completely supportive of both getting on with the R&R project quickly and a full decant. My noble friend Lord Best eloquently…16 Nov 2021HANSARDSmoking Cessation: Prescription of E-cigarettesMy Lords, to follow up on that point, e-cigarettes are sold using flavours such as dragon berry, bubblegum, gummy bears and unicorn juice, in colourful packaging with cartoon…02 Nov 2021HANSARDPensions Regulator (Employer Resources Test) Regulations 2021My Lords, it seems like quite a long time ago that we were last in this Room. In fact, I think the last time I spoke in this Room was in the discussion on pension schemes, so it…06 Sept 2021HANSARDTelecommunications (Security) BillMy Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Stroud. I find myself in agreement with everything that she said. Anything that improves the security of our tele-…29 Jun 2021HANSARDEnvironment BillMy Lords, I declare my interests as a farmer with forestry and renewable energy interests, chairman of the Fleet District Salmon Fishery Board and a director of the Galloway…23 Jun 2021HANSARDEnvironment BillMy Lords, I start by declaring my interests as a farmer in south-west Scotland with forestry interests, as chairman of Fleet District Salmon Fishery Board, and as a director of…07 Jun 2021