Contributions
1,161 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHonours SystemI understand that the order cannot be renamed. The statute makes it quite clear that it must be known by that name and no other, so we would have to close it and start another. In…26 Mar 2019HANSARDHonours SystemI agree with my noble friend that we should do more to ensure that those from ethnic minority communities who have made a significant contribution to society should see their…26 Mar 2019HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsA priority for the UK Government is to restore the devolved institutions in Stormont. In the absence of Executive Ministers, there is a limit to the decisions which the civil…25 Mar 2019HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsI recognise the particular role my noble friend has when it comes to statutory instruments, and I can give him that assurance.25 Mar 2019HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsMy Lords, the UK Government and devolved Administrations are working together to develop common frameworks in policy areas where powers returning from the EU intersect with…25 Mar 2019HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsI understand the frustration to which the noble Lord refers: that was reflected in our debate earlier this year initiated by the noble Lord, Lord Lisvane. After that, I undertook…25 Mar 2019HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsA top priority for the Government is the constitutional integrity of the UK, and that is secured by a good working relationship between all four Governments. I accept that the…25 Mar 2019HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsThe Prime Minister has made it clear that she wants all the devolved Administrations to have an enhanced role in the next stage of the negotiations with the EU as we move forward,…25 Mar 2019HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsI refer my noble friend to the answer I gave when she asked me about future trade agreements. The Prime Minister has promised an enhanced role. Official discussions are taking…25 Mar 2019HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsThe noble Baroness raises a good point. The review I referred to is about intergovernmental relationships, not inter-parliamentary ones. If the parliaments want to take action…25 Mar 2019HANSARDDevolved AdministrationsDevolution is England is not stuck. I spend many hours in the Moses Room dealing with statutory instruments, either setting up combined authorities, where local authorities wish…25 Mar 2019HANSARDInterserveThe Government keep all the contracts under review. We have developed arrangements with all the major contractors. We have continuity arrangements known as living wills should…20 Mar 2019HANSARDInterserveMy Lords, nothing in Interserve’s refinancing will affect the delivery of public services. No staff have lost jobs and no pensions have been affected. The company has executed a…20 Mar 2019HANSARDInterserveOn the first point raised by the noble Lord, it is important to understand that what happened to Interserve was totally different from what happened to Carillion, for example.…20 Mar 2019HANSARDInterserveThere is no reason why trade creditors of Interserve should lose any money. The hit was taken by the shareholders and the lenders who wrote off their debt and converted it into…20 Mar 2019HANSARDInterserveOn the first point, it is important to understand that Interserve was in two halves. The subsidiary companies provided services to the public and private sectors, looking outwards…20 Mar 2019HANSARDInterserveI entirely agree. The Government want to get the right mix of quality and effectiveness at the lowest possible price over the lifetime of the contract. There is certainly…20 Mar 2019HANSARDSmall and Medium-sized Enterprises: Clydesdale BankI recognise that there are more cases than the one that has generated the interest. There has been a lot of press interest in some RBS schemes. Looking at the FCA estimates, we…19 Mar 2019HANSARDSmall and Medium-sized Enterprises: Clydesdale BankMy Lords, with the leave of the House, I shall repeat in the form of a Statement the Answer to an Urgent Question asked in the other place earlier today. The Statement is as…19 Mar 2019HANSARDSmall and Medium-sized Enterprises: Clydesdale BankI am grateful to the noble Lord for his response. It makes sense to wait for the expansion of the financial ombudsman’s scheme, which I and he referred to, and which comes into…19 Mar 2019