Contributions
1,353 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)We recognise and, indeed, strongly believe that patience is a virtue, but on these Benches we are also a bit impatient. Our concern regarding this clause is simply about…14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)We also have no objections to the clause, but I want to probe it a bit. The Minister rightly praised the Drinking Water Inspectorate. I think most of us would say that its…14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)It is a great privilege to serve under your guidance this morning, Dr Huq. We also have no objection to the clause and, in fact, we consider automatic penalties to be a positive…14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Fourth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. The Environment Agency will have more powers as a consequence of the Bill. There will be greater regulation and there will be…14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Fourth sitting)In short, I am happy not to push new clause 12 to a vote now, nor will I seek to push new clause 27 to a vote when we get to that stage. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion.…14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting)I want to point out something that is probably blindingly obvious, because I want to support the hon. Members for Epping Forest and for Beaconsfield. When emergency overflows…09 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting)I beg to move amendment 26, in clause 4, page 10, line 4, leave out— “use that is to be made of” and insert— “priority that is to be given to”.09 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting)I will add to the words I have already said, but not by very many, I promise. The simple bottom line of our proposal is that nature-based solutions offer great value for dealing…09 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (First sitting)Well, that is bizarre. With total respect for the hon. Gentleman, he completely misunderstands. We are seeking to put this on the face of the Bill and not kick it off to a…09 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (First sitting)Happy new year to all colleagues. It is good to be in this place and it is a great pleasure to serve under your guidance as Chair, Mr Vickers. I put on the record my thanks to the…09 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting)I beg to move amendment 17, in clause 3, page 9, line 1, leave out from start to “in” and insert— “a Minister with specific responsibility for issues relating to the coast,”. I…09 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (First sitting)I beg to move amendment 23, in clause 2, page 5, line 9, after “occurrence” insert “and impact”.09 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting)There are no further comments from us, and we do not seek to press to a vote any of the amendments that we have tabled. We are concerned that there is not enough detail in the…09 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (First sitting)I will speak to amendments 23 and 25 first, as they are connected, then amendment 24, and then amendments 9 and 6, which were tabled by those on the Conservative Front Bench. I…09 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (First sitting)I beg to move amendment 22, in clause 1, page 1, line 11, at end insert— “(1A) The Authority must use its power under subsection (1) to issue rules which require— (a) the…09 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (First sitting)In that case, I will speak to amendment 19, which is about revolving doors. Amendment 19 seeks to prevent a revolving door between water companies and the regulator. In July 2023,…09 Jan 2025HANSARDRoad MaintenanceHundreds of local authority roads across the country include half-joint bridges built in the 1960s and 1970s that are now dangerously unsafe. They include the Brigsteer Road and…09 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting)I beg to move amendment 13, in clause 3, page 8, line 10, at end insert— “(e) the volume of discharge.”09 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Second sitting)Likewise, the Liberal Democrats have no objection at all to this clause. I cite from memory that in 2021-22, there were just under half a million spillage incidents in this…09 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (First sitting)Oh, go on.09 Jan 2025