Contributions
445 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAccess to Nature Green PaperMy Lords, the current 2p piece has an image on the back of a red squirrel. I wonder, as a serious point, whether the Green Paper could look at the establishment of red squirrel…03 Jun 2026HANSARDKing’s SpeechMy Lords, it is a great pleasure to follow on from the speeches of the noble Lords, Lord True and Lord Purvis. It was, if they do not mind me saying so, an even greater pleasure…13 May 2026HANSARDSenior Deputy SpeakerMy Lords, on behalf of the Cross Benches, I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Ponsonby, on his appointment as Senior Deputy Speaker, and most importantly, actually, as Chairman of…13 May 2026HANSARDSustainable Farming Incentive: Flood Prevention and Drought ResilienceMy Lords, flood prevention still requires affordable insurance to back it up, because floods still happen when you try to prevent them. The eligibility criteria of Flood Re mean…23 Apr 2026HANSARDClerk of the ParliamentsMy Lords, it is a great pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Purvis, and indeed to hear the wonderful remarks from the Leader and from the noble Lord, Lord True, earlier on. I…13 Apr 2026HANSARDFlood Detection and Prevention: Technological AssistanceMy Lords, no matter how good one is at detection and prevention, there will always be floods. That is why it is important to have insurance. The Flood Re scheme, which was…19 Mar 2026HANSARDRail Infrastructure Resilience: Storms and FloodsMy Lords, Network Rail—being, of course, a state entity—does not buy third-party insurance from anywhere, but the insurance industry has an amazing number of modellers and…19 Mar 2026HANSARDPension Schemes BillMy Lords, the noble Baroness, Lady Noakes, has graciously allowed me to intervene briefly. Earlier today during Question Time there were two Questions which involved insurance. I…19 Mar 2026HANSARDStrait of HormuzMy Lords, one of the precursors to the reopening of the commercial shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz would be the availability of reasonably priced insurance—and lots of it.…18 Mar 2026HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, I will be brief. Finding the balance between, first, the Government’s 2024 manifesto, secondly, the maintenance of the separation of powers among the three legs of our…10 Mar 2026HANSARDNew Housing: Flood RiskMy Lords, does the Minister agree that the time is right for a review of the Flood Re programme? As we heard from the noble Lord, Lord Blencathra, it does not apply to buildings…26 Feb 2026HANSARDChanging Weather Patterns and FloodsMy Lords, Flood Re is a temporary system that will run out in 2039 and is aimed only at domestic dwellings, which is a great disadvantage to owners of microbusinesses and small…12 Feb 2026HANSARDConstruction Industry: TimberMy Lords, the level of afforestation in Great Britain is about 13% and the average in the EU is mid-30%, so it is good to hear about planning for the planting of more trees. The…05 Feb 2026HANSARDUS Department of Justice Release of FilesMy Lords, I have spent some of this morning looking at the US Department of Justice’s Epstein library. I note that the emails have a very matey tone and therefore obviously sit in…05 Feb 2026HANSARDTributes: Lord Wallace of TankernessMy Lords, with a heavy heart, I rise on behalf of these Benches to pay tribute to the noble and learned Lord, Lord Wallace of Tankerness, and to extend our condolences to his wife…03 Feb 2026HANSARDTributes: Lord McFall of AlcluithIt is a great pleasure to follow three warm and special reflections on the noble Lord, Lord McFall. I agree with every word and sentiment that has been expressed. On behalf of…02 Feb 2026HANSARDHigh Temperature Gas-Cooled ReactorsMy Lords, can the Minister update the House on the plans to replace Russia in the nuclear fuel supply chain, given that it has a very dominant place there at the moment?19 Jan 2026HANSARDGreenland: Proposed US TariffsMy Lords, much of what has been said so far is of the respectful and firm way in which the intergovernmental dimension of the relationship is reacting to this news. Tomorrow, of…19 Jan 2026HANSARDElection of Lord SpeakerMy Lords, I will be very brief. I am very much looking forward on the commission to seeing the forensic skills of the noble Lord, Lord Forsyth, as he questions the many people we…12 Jan 2026HANSARDTributesMy Lords, I associate myself with all the warm comments made by my fellow members of the usual channels about the staff of the House. I note the kindness, the courtesy and the…18 Dec 2025