Contributions
1,831 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDUK-US Trade Deal Negotiating ObjectivesThere were several questions from the noble Lord, so I will not be able to answer all of them, but I say at the outset: the respect is there between the two countries—it always…02 Mar 2020HANSARDUK-US Trade Deal Negotiating ObjectivesIt is praise indeed that the noble Lord, Lord Kerr, has said that the document is admirable and I am pleased to have been able to listen to that very carefully. I take note of…02 Mar 2020HANSARDUK-US Trade Deal Negotiating ObjectivesI will first take up my noble friend’s question about Scotch whisky. Yes, it is true that there is this 25% tariff on Scotch whisky, but my understanding is that that is linked to…02 Mar 2020HANSARDWuhan CoronavirusIt is unusual to have that kind of interruption. Perhaps I may ask that Peers ask short questions to allow more Back-Benchers to intervene.26 Feb 2020HANSARDTrade: StandardsMy Lords, I thank my noble friend Lady McIntosh for raising this important and timely short debate. I also thank other noble Lords who have made such informed contributions this…25 Feb 2020HANSARDIndustrial and Mining TownsThe noble Lord is right, and that is exactly what we are doing. We have announced the £3.6 billion towns fund, which will support an initial 100 town deals across England. We also…13 Feb 2020HANSARDIndustrial and Mining TownsI agree with much of what the noble Lord said. I am very pleased that we have commenced a grand tour of the north. On Monday we focused on Yorkshire, and here we are on Thursday…13 Feb 2020HANSARDIndustrial and Mining TownsMy Lords, this Government are committed to levelling up regions and supporting communities in former industrial and mining towns in the north of England through the continuation…13 Feb 2020HANSARDIndustrial and Mining TownsThe noble Lord makes a good point to the extent that we are focusing in. It takes us back to the Question raised by the noble Lord, Lord Greaves, on coalfields, regeneration and…13 Feb 2020HANSARDIndustrial and Mining TownsAbsolutely—that will definitely be looked at. I make the point that, as the noble Lord will know, we are publishing a White Paper and setting out our strategy to unleash the…13 Feb 2020HANSARDIslamophobiaNot at all—we take it very seriously. The question asked by the noble Baroness is very similar to that from the noble Lord, Lord Kennedy. I say again that the definition goes…13 Feb 2020HANSARDIndustrial and Mining TownsYes, and, indeed, many SMEs have started up after the changes in some of the big industrial companies. The LEPs have also played their part; that informs investment decisions and…13 Feb 2020HANSARDIslamophobiaMy Lords, the Government remain committed to stamping out anti-Muslim hatred and all forms of hate crime. It is unacceptable for anyone to feel unsafe while practising their…13 Feb 2020HANSARDIslamophobiaThe right reverend Prelate is right. I had brief sight of the abhorrent hate crime addressed to Qari Asim and I condemn it utterly. He is also right that we need to work harder on…13 Feb 2020HANSARDIslamophobiaThe noble Lord has picked up on what I just said: it is a challenging issue. I can reassure him that we intend to move as quickly as possible to come to a definition. As I said,…13 Feb 2020HANSARDIslamophobiaThere are a couple of points there. The IHRA definition is widely accepted internationally and, by adopting this non-binding definition, we underline the UK Government’s…13 Feb 2020HANSARDIslamophobiaThe noble Lord is right. As I said, it is unacceptable for anyone to feel unsafe while practising their religion and the Government will never allow prejudice and discrimination…13 Feb 2020HANSARDIslamophobiaI agree with my noble friend that Islamophobia, while a hate a crime, is not a form of racism as defined by the Equality Act 2010. Section 9 of the Act defines race as comprising…13 Feb 2020HANSARDIndustrial and Mining TownsMy noble friend is right. Again, there are several announcements coming out on transport. There was the announcement on HS2 this week, and we now have a new national bus strategy.…13 Feb 2020HANSARDScotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2020That the Grand Committee do consider the Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2020.11 Feb 2020