Contributions
1,161 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDetainee Mistreatment and RenditionI am not quite sure that the noble Baroness can complain about a sudden Statement when at the beginning of her question she complained about the length of time it has taken to…16 Jul 2019HANSARDDetainee Mistreatment and RenditionThe noble Lord will know better than I do the reasons why that inquiry could not proceed. There were extensive discussions and negotiations between the ISC and the Prime Minister…16 Jul 2019HANSARDBrexit: European Investment Bank (European Union Committee Report)I have in front of me the relevant paragraph in the Select Committee report, which states that: “The EIB’s liabilities do not feature on the national balance sheets of EU Member…16 Jul 2019HANSARDBrexit: European Investment Bank (European Union Committee Report)Yes, I will come to that. That is one of the most important themes that has run through this debate. Many noble Lords mentioned investment in decarbonisation and in green…16 Jul 2019HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions (Termination Awards and Sporting Testimonials) BillThat the order of commitment be discharged.10 Jul 2019HANSARDNational Insurance Contributions (Termination Awards and Sporting Testimonials) BillMy Lords, I understand that no amendments have been set down to this Bill, and that no noble Lord has indicated a wish to move a manuscript amendment, or to speak in Committee.…10 Jul 2019HANSARDG20 SummitMy Lords, I begin by thanking my noble friend Lord Howell for securing this debate on an issue most critical to our national interest, and for his speech introducing it. I join…08 Jul 2019HANSARDCouncils: FundingLocal councillors and local government officials have done remarkably well to maintain, and in some cases improve, the quality of the services they provide despite, since 2010, a…04 Jul 2019HANSARDCouncils: FundingMy Lords, the Government recognise the vital work that councils do to support their communities. That is why the 2019-20 settlement confirmed that councils’ core spending power…04 Jul 2019HANSARDCouncils: FundingI took the precaution of getting a copy of my noble friend’s report, which was published this morning. For the last 30 or 40 years, Governments have been trying to bring together…04 Jul 2019HANSARDCouncils: FundingThe noble Earl makes a powerful point. In the Budget last year, £410 million was added to the social care support grant for adults and children. The case he has just made,…04 Jul 2019HANSARDCouncils: FundingThe Government have not imposed mayors on parts of the country; they have elected to have mayors. There has been no imposition. In all the cases involving combined authorities and…04 Jul 2019HANSARDCouncils: FundingI pay tribute to the work done by trading standards officers, whose case is championed by my noble friend. As she will know, local government does not like funding that is…04 Jul 2019HANSARDCouncils: FundingI say to the noble Lord that I was a vice-president of the Local Government Association—until I was expelled for introducing rate-capping in the 1980s. On the serious issue he…04 Jul 2019HANSARDAffordable HousingI agree that we should do all we can to increase the number of social homes that are rented. A £9 billion affordable homes programme is targeted on areas where affordability is a…03 Jul 2019HANSARDAffordable HousingMy Lords, it is government policy to increase the number of homes being built, including affordable homes. As far as possible, any impediments to selling government land and…03 Jul 2019HANSARDAffordable HousingI agree. Until quite recently the policy on the disposal of government surplus land was that the best price should be secured—in the interests of the taxpayer, who is the ultimate…03 Jul 2019HANSARDAffordable HousingI agree with the thrust of my noble friend’s question. The other thing that we have done is that when surplus land becomes available from any government department it is put on a…03 Jul 2019HANSARDAffordable HousingYes, indeed. We announced that we would abolish the cap on the housing revenue account, to enable local authorities to build up to £4 billion- worth of new homes and introduce a…03 Jul 2019HANSARDAffordable HousingAgain, it is sad that any property is left empty for a substantial length of time, given the number of people in housing need. As the noble Lord will know, a premium rate of…03 Jul 2019