🗣️ Speeches and Debates
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The recent pronouncements of Monitor seem to ignore the vast majority of the people of Stafford, who, as my noble friend Lord Hunt indicated, require a range of safe, sustainable and comprehensive health services rather than the delegation of a range of services, including elective surgery, to other hospitals such as New Cross in Wolverhampton. That hospital is already under considerable...
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My Lords, will the Minister confirm that the coalition Government are currently planning to convert academies and to move them from the public sector to the private sector? If that is the case, will the Minister confirm-it is certainly our opinion-that that would be entirely the wrong policy?
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My Lords, I sense that the House wishes my reply to be brief. I can be brief, in the sense that a great deal of the meat of this important question has been dealt with by the members of the committee. Every member of the committee made the point that I made at the outset: that it is due to the able chairmanship of the noble Baroness, Lady Knight, and the integrity and wisdom of the committee...
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My Lords, I should first explain the three minor amendments to this Bill, which I shall move formally at a later point. All I can say about these amendments is that they are in the nature of tidying up. One of them alters an incorrect reference to the "Kent Valley Police Force", which appears to be something of a hybrid of Kent and Thames Valley, no doubt caused by the fact that Reading...
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To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to mark the 150th anniversary of the Club and Institute Union.
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My Lords, I thank the Minister for that very positive reply. My heart fills with pride in appreciation of the vital and outstanding service that the Club and Institute Union has contributed to the cultural, social, educational and creative life of working class communities throughout the length and breadth of Great Britain over these past 150 years, which we are joyfully celebrating this...
More of Lord Bilston's speeches and debates
✍️ Written Questions and Answers
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To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the announcement by the King of Bahrain that an independent commission will be formed, in conjunction with the United Nations, which will inquire into the unrest in Bahrain in February and March 2011 and make recommendations for restoring harmony and good governance to the kingdom.
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To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish the equality impact assessment of their proposed new approach to English for speakers of other languages. To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to consult groups including the Association of Colleges, College principals, the Refugee Council, the University and College Union, and the National Institute of Adult Continuing...
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I have been asked to reply. I recognise that many customers of the Refreshment Department are supportive of sustainable food initiatives. The Refreshment Department's business plan for 2005–06 acknowledges the need to develop a formal policy on this matter. Subsequent to my answer of 26 October 2004, Official Report, column 1095W, the Refreshment Department Purchasing Manager had a...
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I am sympathetic to the hon. Member's wish to reduce food miles by sourcing as much produce as possible locally. The Refreshment Department uses a great deal of British produce, selected on the basis of its quality and value for money. I have asked the Director of Catering Services to investigate the feasibility of implementing a strategy to minimise food miles as part of the Refreshment...
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I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 27 April 2004, Official Report, column 905–06W. I have asked the Director of Catering Services to continue to be alert to opportunities to increase the percentage of food sourced organically, but I am aware that the Refreshment Department's ability to achieve this remains constrained by both supply chain limitations and by consumer price...
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There are no plans to change the clear plastic carrier bags used in the Debate, which are practical for their purpose. The bags help to reduce queues by allowing cashiers to see the contents without the need for them to be unpacked at the tills, and are sturdy enough to allow customers to carry hot drinks safely to their offices in Portcullis House and the other parliamentary buildings....
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The Refreshment Department uses organic produce when it represents value for money, is of an appropriate quality and can be delivered in sufficient quantities. However, it is generally a premium product and as such is not used as a matter of course. The organic nature of produce is recorded only if it is purchased specifically for a promotion of organic food and so no figures are available on...
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As one of a number of measures to enhance security in the House of Commons, the Speaker instructed the Serjeant at Arms to lock the door between Strangers' Bar and the Terrace. A quick release lock is being fitted to the door as a matter of urgency; meanwhile, I understand that the Fire Safety Manager is content with the temporary arrangements in place for emergency evacuation in the event of...
More of Lord Bilston's written questions
