Lords
Proceedings
9 July 2026
Holding the Line Against Tyranny and Anarchy (Constitution Committee Report)
My Lords, I am told that we should never start a speech with an apology, but I sincerely apologise if I have to leave before the end of the debate to get back up to Scotland—I had not expected the debate to be taken so late. I did not want to withdraw, as I was very keen to participate in the debate…
Lords
Proceedings
8 July 2026
2 contributions
Lord Advocate
My Lords, I too congratulate my noble friend on her well-deserved appointment to the Front Bench. On this occasion, however, I agree—for once—with the Opposition spokesperson.
It had to happen some time. We should not wait for the Scottish Government to ask for the legislation to be changed. This is a responsibility of the UK Government and the UK Parliament. There are other areas, such as the Murrell controversy—that embezzlement. Now, there is £1.2 million of Yes Scotla…
Lords
Proceedings
6 July 2026
International Marine Protected Area: Sargasso Sea
When I was listening to the Opposition Front Bench, I was trying to recall who it was who first suggested the transfer of Diego Garcia to Mauritius. Perhaps my noble friend could remind me and the House but, above all, the opposition spokesperson who it was.
Lords
Proceedings
2 July 2026
Post-16 Education and Skills: Funding
My Lords, does my noble friend get increasingly exasperated, as I do, when Front-Bench spokesmen opposite get increasingly strident in their attacks on the Government? We have not cleared up their mess in defence spending, immigration and schools, which they left us after 14 years in power.
Lords
Proceedings
29 June 2026
Covid Fraud
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that reply, but does he not think it strange that Peter Murrell is in jail for embezzlement of £400,000 whereas not one person responsible for £10 billion of fraud has been charged, let alone convicted? Will the Government speed up their action to use l…
Lords
Proceedings
29 June 2026
2 contributions
Immigration and Asylum: Appeals
My Lords—
My Lords, as my noble friend knows, in my advancing years I have become more understanding, particularly of those who find themselves, sadly, in opposition. The Front-Bencher opposite clearly got up early this morning to put in this PNQ so that he could have a go and attack the Government. Can my no…
Lords
Proceedings
18 June 2026
Steel Tariffs
Can the Minister confirm that the Government are consulting on this, and therefore that some of the suggestions made in this House and in the other place can be taken into account by the Government and amendments made? Can he also tell us—despite the rather theatrical intervention from the Front Ben…
Lords
Proceedings
17 June 2026
Foreign Interference in UK Democratic Processes
My Lords, it is increasingly clear that there was a major effort by the Russians in support of the SNP at the Scottish Parliament elections, because it is in their interest to break up Britain. In view of this and subsequent events, is there not a case now for those elections to be rerun?
Lords
Proceedings
16 June 2026
Defence Investment Plan
My Lords, does my noble friend agree that it is not just about how much we spend but ensuring that it is spent effectively? What is being done within the MoD to ensure that procurement is improved? Perhaps he might consult our noble friend Lord Drayson, who was a very good Procurement Minister. Will…
Lords
Proceedings
15 June 2026
Middle East: Iran Conflict
My Lords, does my noble friend the Minister agree that the United Kingdom Government are now able to play a far more positive part in relation to this issue than if they had followed the advice of the leader of the Opposition and supported the ill-advised invasion by Donald Trump?
Lords
Proceedings
10 June 2026
Mindanao Earthquake
My Lords, it is my recollection that we used to be rather speedier in response when we had a separate Department for International Development, which was unfortunately abolished by the Government of the party opposite. Would the Minister, however tentatively, give some indication that, when circumst…
Lords
Proceedings
8 June 2026
School Admissions: Selective Inclusion
Will my noble friend spread the news to all pupils in England that they are lucky they do not live in Scotland, where there is a declining education system under the failing SNP Government?
Lords
Proceedings
3 June 2026
Cabinet Manual: Guidelines for Government Formation
My Lords, someone called William Wallace ought to know that the coalition in Scotland was far more successful than the one down here. Will my noble friend the Minister confirm that the Cabinet Manual includes sections on transparency and openness, and that that will apply also to the First Minister …
Lords
Proceedings
2 June 2026
Bosnia and Herzegovina
My Lords, the noble and gallant Lord, Lord Peach, mentioned the malign influence of Russia in relation to this. There has been some suggestion that the United Kingdom is slackening its sanctions on Russia. Will the Minister confirm that this is not the case and consider further sanctions, particular…
Lords
Proceedings
1 June 2026
Donations to Political Parties
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend the Minister for that really helpful Answer. I agree with everything that she has said. However, will she now consider tightening the rules on the expenditure of Short money which is allocated specifically to opposition parties at Westminster? If there is a…
Lords
Proceedings
21 May 2026
Higher Earners: Emigration
My Lords, will the legislation in relation to Members of this House envisaged in the King’s Speech deal with those who are refusing to pay their fair share of tax?
Lords
Proceedings
20 May 2026
2026 FIFA World Cup: Replica Kit Pricing
My Lords, with no disrespect to my noble friend Lord Walker, England is not the only national team at the World Cup. If my noble friend the Minister is making representations, will she make representations also to the Scottish FA in relation to kits? While she is doing that, will she also ask it to …
Lords
Proceedings
19 May 2026
Defence, Security and Resilience Bank
My Lords, will my noble friend confirm that much of the expenditure that he just referred to is in Scotland: in Edinburgh, in Fife, in the Clyde and in the islands? Does he think I am overoptimistic in hoping that the new Scottish Government will give some acknowledgement and credit to the UK Govern…
Lords
Proceedings
19 May 2026
Lord Mandelson: Government Response to Humble Address
My Lords, with no disrespect to my noble friend Lord Beamish, does my noble friend the Minister agree that, when this is raised by the Opposition as an Urgent Question, it makes it into an aggressive party-political issue? Is this not better left to the all-party, independent ISC?
Lords
Oral Questions
16 April 2026
Data Centres: Energy Demand
I have lots of reasons to agree with my noble friend about particular Administrations and how they might be replaced. As far as the future of AI nuclear is concerned, it is certainly the case that new nuclear can sit very well alongside, for example, AI growth zones. One example of that is the Wylfa…
Lords
Proceedings
14 April 2026
Middle East
My Lords, I shall resist the temptation to enter into my normal attacks on the Opposition Front Bench, because at times of international conflict, and this conflict could spread well beyond the Middle East, it is very important that we have cross-party agreement. I hope the Leader of the Opposition …
Lords
Debate
17 March 2026
Lord Mandelson: Response to Humble Address Motion
My Lords, first, I thank my noble friend the Minister for bringing to the House this excellent Statement. I congratulate her on her very appropriate appointment, which shows the sincerity and determination of the Government to take this issue seriously. I recognise that the Liberal spokesperson aske…
Lords
Proceedings
9 March 2026
Energy Markets
My Lords, I am really sorry that I cannot be there in person this evening, but I am also really grateful that I am being allowed to participate virtually. Does my noble friend the Minister agree with me that, in the current crisis, it is even more important that we have nuclear-powered generation to…
Lords
Oral Questions
17 September 2025
Making Tax Digital
It is not for me to comment on the tax affairs of any one individual.
Lords
Oral Questions
16 September 2025
Economic Growth
I certainly agree with the first half of my noble friend’s question. It is important to restate that the UK is the fastest-growing economy in the G7. The economy grew by 1% in the first half of this year, well above the OBR’s forecast of 0.6%. It is also worth drawing attention, as I did, to Lloyds’…