Contributions
225 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAgriculture BillMy Lords, I am sorry for keeping us late. I note that I can hear the combine rolling outside my window—today is the first day of combining. The farmers are still working late, so…16 Jul 2020HANSARDAgriculture BillMy Lords, I will endeavour to be brief: we have an awful lot to get through. I am grateful to see Clause 1(4) in the Bill. It was remarkable that, in its early iterations, a Bill…14 Jul 2020HANSARDAgriculture BillMy Lords, I echo the words of the noble Lord, Lord Lucas. First, I would like to address the reintroduction of native species. Down in Devon, we have seen the relatively…09 Jul 2020HANSARDAgriculture BillMy Lords, I have a few swift comments on Amendments 12, 13, 32 and 43, noting my interests as stated on Tuesday. The focus on education in Amendment 12 is key. One issue that has…09 Jul 2020HANSARDAgriculture BillMy Lords, I am amazed to hear that there were 11 days in Committee for the then CROW Bill and we have four for this much larger and more extensive Bill. It is amazing how things…07 Jul 2020HANSARDAgriculture BillMy Lords, I echo the words of the noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh, in congratulating the Minister and so many other noble Lords on marshalling such a remarkable number of…07 Jul 2020HANSARDAgriculture BillMy Lords, I apologise for keeping us a little longer on this group of amendments, but I would not do so were it not for a very important issue. I refer to Amendment 236 in my name…07 Jul 2020HANSARDAgriculture BillThe amendments I have tabled in this group largely go to the same issue which the noble Baronesses, Lady McIntosh and Lady Jones, have touched on, which is who is to receive…07 Jul 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Wedding VenuesMy Lords, I note my interest in a heritage wedding venue, where all 2020 weddings have been postponed. Wedding venues and, more importantly, their local vendors and suppliers face…24 Jun 2020HANSARDAgriculture BillMy Lords, it is a pleasure to be back in the Chamber for such a crucial debate. Thanks to many for their tireless work in getting us here in hybrid form; however, I am concerned…10 Jun 2020HANSARDDirect Payments to Farmers (Crop Diversification Derogation) (England) Regulations 2020I declare my interest as an arable farmer, though thanks to Devon’s sandy red soil, we do not need this derogation just yet. As well as being a farmer, I was once a theologian and…02 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Museums, Galleries and Historic BuildingsMy Lords, I note my heritage interests. Tomorrow is Radio 1’s first virtual Big Weekend. Usually, it is Europe’s largest free live music event, bringing big stars to corners of…21 May 2020HANSARDPrivate International Law (Implementation of Agreements) Bill [HL]I understood that I would get an opportunity to speak before the Minister rather than after him, as I have been on the list for the past few days, but I shall proceed none the…13 May 2020HANSARDArts and Cultural ServicesMy Lords, the country’s private historic houses welcome—03 Mar 2020HANSARDTree Pests and DiseasesMy Lords, I, too, am grateful both to the noble Earl, Lord Kinnoull, and to the noble and learned Lord, Lord Hope, for first pursuing, and then persevering with, this crucial…13 Feb 2020HANSARDFisheries Bill [HL]My Lords, I am not a fisheries expert; other than sporting a beard worthy of Captain Haddock and managing medieval manorial interests on the foreshore of the River Exe, I am a…11 Feb 2020HANSARDDirect Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) BillMy Lords, it is an honour to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Bakewell. I will echo many of her fine words. I declare an interest as a Devon farmer and a recipient of BPS payments…29 Jan 2020HANSARDQueen’s SpeechMy Lords, happy new year. In welcoming a new decade, a new Parliament and a new Government, we also welcome a new relationship with the world in 2020. While looking ahead with…07 Jan 2020HANSARDQueen’s SpeechMy Lords, it is an honour to follow the noble Lord, Lord Sharkey, and so many others more qualified than I. This was my first Queen’s Speech and it was a surreal experience…22 Oct 2019HANSARDBrexit: PreparationsMy Lords, the Minister stated that the no-deal mitigation plans for meat exporters are in place. Does this include the mass slaughter of livestock for which there is no longer an…08 Oct 2019