Contributions
417 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPrisons: Early ReleaseIs the Minister satisfied that the Probation Service is properly resourced to manage and supervise prisoners on discharge?09 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillStatutory instruments are not amendable; that is to say that this House would not be able to change whatever was in the statutory instrument.09 Jul 2025HANSARDActions of Iranian Regime: UK ResponseMy Lords, in assessing malign actions, may I suggest that the ordinary criminal law should be used whenever possible and that proscription should be the instrument of last resort,…08 Jul 2025HANSARDGovernment Performance against Fiscal RulesMy Lords, on the fiscal rules, may I suggest the following? First, the welfare budget is far too high and must be substantially reduced. Secondly, economic growth is the only way…08 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillThe noble Lord would surely agree that, if we were going to have an elected second Chamber, which I strongly support, it would require legislation. In the course of the debate…02 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillI think we are in agreement. What I am in favour of is putting this in a statutory frame. I do not doubt that it is done in a discretionary manner, but I would like it to be…02 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, I strongly support, with one qualification, the observations of my noble friend Lord Brady. I have always been a strong supporter of the concept of an elected second…02 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, I shall speak very briefly to my Amendment 29, which would link the exclusion of hereditary Peers to a stage-two proposal. In Amendment 29, I have set out what ought to…02 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, I put my name to Amendments 5 and 6. I very much support enhancing the powers of HOLAC, largely for the reasons explained by the noble Lord. Too many appointments made…02 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillWe need to have anti-deadlock mechanisms. That is perfectly right. I think that you could have qualified voting, but there are a variety of measures that you could put in place.…02 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillIs my noble friend in a position to give an assurance to your Lordships’ House that, if this amendment were to carry, it would be part of a wider package of reform, some of which…02 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, in view of the lateness of the hour, I will be very brief. I will say out of an abundance of caution that I will not test the opinion of the House. However, I think…02 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, I want briefly to express some concerns about this amendment. Despite the eloquence of the noble Baroness and the noble Lord, Lord Parkinson, who in the end have…02 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill02 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, is it not really a matter for the Select Committee to determine what issues it wants to consider?02 Jul 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, I very much welcome the suggestion that there should be a Select Committee addressing some of the issues covered by Amendment 7. With your Lordships’ consent, I beg…02 Jul 2025HANSARDWinter Fuel PaymentMy Lords, would it not be better to incorporate the allowance into the pension, which is taxable, making it easier and fairer to administer?10 Jun 2025HANSARDElectric Cycles: Illegal Use on RoadsMy Lords, does the Minister agree that one of the greatest hazards among users of e-bikes comes from delivery drivers who have disengaged the speed limiter? They are fairly easy…10 Jun 2025HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Marks, has indicated to your Lordships that he proposes to test the opinion of this House on Amendment 2. I am a pragmatist. I want to see the Bill…04 Jun 2025HANSARDSentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) BillMy Lords, in moving Amendment 1 in my name, I begin with an apology. I have not previously intervened in the debates on the Bill. Unfortunately, long-standing commitments,…04 Jun 2025