Contributions
225 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDListed Historic BuildingsMy Lords, I note my interest as steward of listed buildings in Devon, one of which was recently removed from the Heritage at Risk Register, courtesy of works funded by Natural…14 Jan 2025HANSARDEnglish DevolutionMy Lords, as a feudal hereditary being thrown out of Westminster, I am quite excited at the prospect of devolution. I have been Earl of Devon for 10 years and, in that role, have…19 Dec 2024HANSARDRural EconomyMy Lords, it is a privilege to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Shephard of Northwold. I thank the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of St Albans, not only for calling this debate…19 Dec 2024HANSARDSmall Farms and Family BusinessesMy Lords, it is always a privilege to follow the noble Lord, Lord Taylor. It is the season, so I will try to lighten the mood by offering some congratulations. The first is to the…12 Dec 2024HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, given the late hour, your Lordships may appreciate that I will not reprise my previous history lessons offered in defence of the indefensible— Hansard has those—but I…11 Dec 2024HANSARDNew HomesMy Lords, during the passage of the Environment Act we introduced the excellent principle of biodiversity net gain. In Committee we voiced concerns over the lack of qualified BNG…11 Dec 2024HANSARDMigration and Border SecurityThe noble Lord, in response to an earlier question, referenced the ambition to close asylum hotels. There has been much discussion recently about the impact of net migration on…10 Dec 2024HANSARDSatellites: Adverse Effects on AstronomyMy Lords, what steps are the Government taking to ensure that we retain access to independent satellite launch capacity in the light of SpaceX’s close relationship with the next…20 Nov 2024HANSARDHouse of Lords ReformMy Lords, I am delighted to follow the noble Lord, Lord Mann—he set me up quite well. I declare an interest as the Earl of Devon, one of the more hereditary of our hereditary…12 Nov 2024HANSARDGenerative AI: Intellectual Property RightsMy Lords, in the absence of legislation or policy it is left to the courts to wrestle with whether the training of large language models infringes copyright. For over two years…11 Nov 2024HANSARDAutumn Budget 2024My Lords, having trussed themselves into a fiscal straitjacket to get elected, the Government are to be admired for achieving a Budget that delivers both short and long-term…11 Nov 2024HANSARDCrown Estate Bill [HL]I appreciate that from the noble Lord, Lord Forsyth. Perhaps he could cover that in his winding up. I think it is important. The focus on salmon farming is perhaps too focused and…05 Nov 2024HANSARDCrown Estate Bill [HL]My Lords, briefly—I did speak at Second Reading but failed to be here for Committee—I thank the noble Lord, Lord Forsyth, for his excellent introduction. The challenge I give to…05 Nov 2024HANSARDBudget: Implications for Farming CommunitiesMy Lords, UK farming suffers a chronic lack of productivity and an ageing cohort of farmers. They have been encouraged to hold on to their farms by virtue of agricultural property…05 Nov 2024HANSARDIndependent Water CommissionMy Lords, the Minister has indicated how quickly the Government have sought to address this issue, but they very quickly announced the intention to develop 1.5 million new homes…29 Oct 2024HANSARDRural CommunitiesMy Lords, I am grateful to be permitted one minute in reply. I note my interests in rural Devon. I welcome the noble Lord, Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard, another west county…15 Oct 2024HANSARDFlood Prevention: FarmersMy Lords, my thanks go to the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of St Albans for calling this debate—he is an excellent servant of the rural countryside. Inspired by the noble…10 Oct 2024HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [HL]My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Baroness. As explained, this is one step in a multistage water industry reform aimed at fixing, once and for all, the parlous state…09 Oct 2024HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryMy Lords, I must congratulate the Chagossians on the return of their islands. How far back in time do His Majesty’s Government intend to go with their restitutionary zeal? We have…08 Oct 2024HANSARDEnvironment and Climate Change Committee Report: An Extraordinary Challenge: Restoring 30 per cent of our Land and Sea by 2030My Lords, it is an honour to bat clean-up in such an esteemed debate as this. It is difficult to say something new, but I have a different angle to offer—perhaps that of a…11 Sept 2024