Results 1-11 of 11 for smoking speaker:Michael Ancram

International Affairs (27 Nov 2003)

Earl of Michael Ancram: ...the red herrings paraded this week. If the Government really meant business, those would have been included in the off the record briefing that we heard on Monday. This matter is too serious for smoke and mirrors. That is why in the end the British people must be allowed to decide in a referendum. A Bill to allow for such a referendum on the new treaty should have been in the Gracious...

EU-Igc (9 Sep 2003)

Earl of Michael Ancram: ...-up streamlining argument that we just heard. They see the treaty as a step change along the route to full political union. This dossier is another chapter in the Government's campaign to use smoke and mirrors to hide their true intentions towards Europe. The White Paper was originally billed as the bold negotiating stance that the Government would adopt at the IGC. Instead we find that it...

Iraq (16 Jul 2003)

Earl of Michael Ancram: .... There are again more unanswered questions, and further confusion and suspicion. I have never thought that the 45-minutes claim was key. I believe that Alastair Campbell decided to make that the smokescreen behind which to conceal the Government's other shortcomings. He believed that war with the BBC was preferable to war with Labour Back Benchers. The smoke has blown back in his face. In...

Iraq (16 Jul 2003)

Earl of Michael Ancram: ...after the "Newsnight" report. The report contained exactly the same allegations, although they were made by a different journalist. I have been in politics for a long time and when I see a cloud of smoke going up, I reckon that I can tell whether it is a smokescreen or an explosion. The most damaging element of the whole affair relates to the so-called dodgy dossier that was published on...

Iraq (26 Feb 2003)

Earl of Michael Ancram: Although we have not found a smoking gun, we learned in the presentation made to the UN Security Council by Colin Powell on 5 February that there is a lot of smoke. There is no killer fact, but there are vast amounts of circumstantial evidence that the elements of weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles are still there and are still being developed. Those are weapons which, in...

Orders of the Day — Scotland Bill: The Scottish Parliament (28 Jan 1998)

Earl of Michael Ancram: The hon. Gentleman is living in wonderland if he believes that that is the way in which coalitions work. My experience is that there is a lot of deal-making, smoke-filled rooms and expediency so far as coalitions are concerned. I have had experience of that and if that is what the Government want to create, they are doing a disservice to Scotland for the future. Having said that, and...

Abolition of Domestic Rates etc. (Scotland) Bill: Valuation Roll Not to Include Domestic Subjects (13 May 1987)

Earl of Michael Ancram: ...hon. Gentleman that in many walks of life there are flat rates. We pay a flat-rate television licence. We pay the same rate of excise duty on the petrol and drink that we buy and, if we happen to smoke still, on the tobacco that we smoke.

Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland: Polkemmet Bing (13 Nov 1985)

Earl of Michael Ancram: ...Clean Air Act 1956 to decide whether action can be taken against the owners of the mine if they fail to take all practicable means to prevent combustion and to prevent or minimise the emission of smoke and fumes.

Bill Presented: Acid Rain (11 Jan 1985)

Earl of Michael Ancram: ...acid deposition directly affects health at ambient air pollution levels and that any current health factors associated with air pollution are most likely related to past exposure, especially to smoke from the use of coal in pre-Clean Air Act days. I believe that the hon. Gentleman used the language of exaggeration. I hope that on mature reflection he will realise that he should not have...

Orders of the Day — Supply: Scottish Economy and Industry (19 Nov 1981)

Earl of Michael Ancram: ..., but in Westminster the Labour Party is invisible and silent on concrete proposals. The speeches that we have heard today resemble nothing so much as so many tired old steam engines creating much smoke and a few whistles, but making little forward movement. I do not hold the charitable view taken by some of my colleagues, that it is too much to expect Opposition Members to think of...

Orders of the Day — Education (Scotland) (No. 2) Bill (12 Feb 1981)

Earl of Michael Ancram: ...Craigton. I welcome the clause that deals with this matter. In the past, while there has been theoretical choice, it has gone far adrift. All too often we have heard of decisions being taken in smoke-filled rooms and enclosed committees. At present, when a parent appeals to a sheriff, the law requires no reasons to be given by the sheriff court why it finds in favour of the committee. All...