Contributions
879 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHigher Education (Freedom of Speech) BillThe reason why we stress the importance of this appointment commanding confidence is that, when we began with the Bill—in particular with the think-tank paper that fed into…07 Dec 2022HANSARDHigher Education (Freedom of Speech) BillMy Lords, my name is on Amendment 30, which is an alternative version, and I wish to add my concerns. The Minister will know that there has been a lot of controversy about the…07 Dec 2022HANSARDHigher Education (Freedom of Speech) BillIn speaking to my Amendment 5, I shall comment briefly on the previous speech. In all my experience of universities, the problem has usually been getting academics to stop…07 Dec 2022HANSARDHigher Education (Freedom of Speech) BillMy Lords, one of the Second Reading speeches that most impressed me was from the noble Viscount, Lord Eccles, whom I see in his place. He reminded us that Conservatives are in…07 Dec 2022HANSARDNational Security BillMy Lords, before Committee, could we be told how this new proposal will interact with the National Security and Investment Act, which already acts on universities? Universities…06 Dec 2022HANSARDCross-Government Cost CuttingDoes the Treasury consider capacity when enforcing efficiency cuts on other departments? Later this afternoon we shall discuss the National Security Bill, which has several…06 Dec 2022HANSARDNational Security BillMy Lords, this Bill is clearly necessary. I welcome the intentions behind it, but I want to focus on some of its weaker provisions, specifically Clauses 13 and 14, Clauses 29 and…06 Dec 2022HANSARDIndependent Adviser on Ministerial InterestsMy Lords, is the problem not that the title “independent adviser” is an oxymoron? It is very clear from the experience of the last two advisers that the role is that of a…30 Nov 2022HANSARDProcurement Bill [HL]My Lords, I had to be absent for two and a half weeks in late October and early November and my noble friend Lady Smith of Newnham kindly and generously substituted for me. I now…30 Nov 2022HANSARDProcurement Bill [HL]My Lords, I have tabled Amendment 97 for two reasons. First, it is to ask for an assurance from the Minister that the procurement review unit will be set up, and secondly, it is…30 Nov 2022HANSARDUkraine: Russian Drone AttacksMy Lords, I understand that the Iranian drones are slow, noisy and powered by the equivalent of motorbike engines, and that Ukrainians are shooting them down mainly with machine…29 Nov 2022HANSARDProcurement Bill [HL]I rise to speak to Amendments 41 and 123, which are amendments to government amendments. We welcome Amendment 40 but, as the noble Lords, Lord Maude and Lord Lansley, have said,…28 Nov 2022HANSARDProcurement Bill [HL]My Lords, we will return to the question of not-for-profits, mutuals and social enterprises in group 6, when we have Amendments 41 and 123 in my name and the name of my noble…28 Nov 2022HANSARDProcurement Bill [HL]My Lords, it would be perfectly acceptable to come back to that at Third Reading. I think that the House would accept that.28 Nov 2022HANSARDWater Framework DirectiveMy Lords, the Brexit campaign promised us that leaving the EU would lead to a bonfire of regulations and massive deregulation, getting rid of unnecessary red tape. Does the…24 Nov 2022HANSARDGovernment Contracts: Bain & CompanyMy Lords, it seems to be the settled policy of the Government to cut the size of the Civil Service and then compensate by spending more money on consultancies. Why is this done?…23 Nov 2022HANSARDFleet Solid Support ShipsThe Minister in the other place put great emphasis on the extent to which the partnership with the Spanish shipbuilder would provide technological transfer and additional skills…22 Nov 2022HANSARDPublic Duty Costs AllowanceMy Lords, when we have Ministers cracking jokes about how many people have occupied their post in the last six months, we recognise that the rate of ministerial and prime…21 Nov 2022HANSARDHouse of Lords (Peerage Nominations) Bill [HL]My Lords, most of those who have spoken have welcomed the Bill and spoken about the importance of this modest reform to the reputation of the House and, in effect, to restoring…18 Nov 2022HANSARDPeerages: Letters PatentMy Lords, the Minister yesterday asserted the principle that the Government are entitled to have a similar majority in the Lords to the Commons, but that is not a principle that…17 Nov 2022