🗣️ Speeches and Debates
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My Lords, we welcome the progress made by the Government on the recommendations of the Independent Water Commission. In particular, we welcome the proposed integrated regulator to replace Ofwat and combine functions of the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Drinking Water Inspectorate. However, I would first like to respond to some of the criticism levelled by the Minister at the...
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My Lords, I join other noble Lords in congratulating the noble Lord, Lord Alton of Liverpool, on securing this timely debate. In our increasingly unstable world, the incidence of atrocities has grown in recent years, as mentioned by all noble Lords. The noble Lord has long been an effective champion for the victims of crimes against humanity and genocide. In particular, he has consistently...
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My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend Lord Bates on securing this important debate. He has once again made a powerful and deeply personal case for the positive impact of UK overseas development assistance, and for the leadership role that this country can and should play internationally. His account of what he has witnessed was moving, and underlined the reality that behind every statistic...
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My Lords, I thank the Minister for giving us the opportunity to ask questions on this Statement, which covered events in Iran, Gaza, Syria and Yemen, and the case of Alaa Abd el-Fattah. That alone demonstrates the increasing instability we are facing globally. The Official Opposition are clear that the UK can and must play a full role in facing up to the challenges of our increasingly...
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My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for saying that the position of the Muslim Brotherhood is under review by His Majesty’s Government. There is legitimate concern that this has led to networks and ideologies spreading to European countries, including our own. Are the Government confident they have a complete and accurate picture of the full extent of the brotherhood’s infiltration...
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My Lords, there is little doubt across the House that the opportunity to live, study and work abroad can bring real benefits for young people. It enables them to experience different cultures, encounter new ways of thinking, build confidence and form relationships and friendships that can last a lifetime. Those objectives are, in themselves, entirely laudable. However, good intentions are not...
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My Lords, His Majesty’s Opposition echo calls for the immediate release of Jimmy Lai. Persecuted under the national security law, which is a breach of the 1984 Sino-British joint declaration, Lai’s verdict was made by politically appointed judges, and the trial was conducted without a jury. Jimmy Lai’s courage and resilience is an inspiration. Born during the Chinese civil war, his...
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My Lords, I thank the Minister for the clarifications he has made during this Question. Can he confirm that the United Kingdom has sufficient assets in the Caribbean so as to continually fight against the scourge of the drug trade in that area?
More of The Earl of Courtown's speeches and debates
✍️ Written Questions and Answers
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Because housing is a devolved issue, we would advise you to contact the Northern Ireland authorities for information about temporary accommodation in Northern Ireland. The Government is clear that no one should be without a roof over their head. That is why we have now committed to end rough sleeping within this Parliament and to fully enforce the Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA). The latest...
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Planning permission may be required to demolish a building, but if not required, the applicant may still be required to seek prior approval from the local planning authority before demolition. Where the demolition of one or more buildings is required as part of a redevelopment, details of the demolition can be included in the planning application. This will give the local planning authority...
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The developer is responsible for providing effective drainage to serve their development and agreeing this with the local planning authority. There is also statutory provision for developers to fund additional sewerage infrastructure required to accommodate flows from a proposed development. If there are concerns arising from a planning application about the capacity of wastewater...
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Since 2001, the Government has supported and promoted Holocaust Memorial Day which commemorates the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered during the Holocaust as well as all victims of Nazi persecution, and victims of the genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. The Government continues to support the Remembering Srebrenica charity in all that it does to commemorate...
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The Government announced at the Budget on 11 March that agreement had been reached on an ambitious devolution deal with West Yorkshire. On 12 March the agreement was formally signed in Leeds by the Chancellor and the Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government on behalf of the Government, and by the Leaders of the West Yorkshire Councils. This devolution deal will provide over £1.1...
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This Government remains committed to stamping out anti-Muslim hatred and all forms of hate crime. It is unacceptable for anyone to feel unsafe while practicing their religion and we continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to Islamophobia. The definition proposed by the APPG is not in line with the Equality Act 2010 and could have consequences for freedom of speech. We recognise the...
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Local authorities are equipped with a range of powers and strong incentives to tackle empty homes. Through the New Homes Bonus, they earn the same financial reward for bringing an empty home back into use as for building a new one. This includes social housing and there is an additional premium for every affordable home delivered. Billing authorities have the discretion to charge up to 100...
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The Government recognises the pressures on councils in providing social care. The Secretary of State recently confirmed that the adult social care precept would continue in 2020-21, giving councils access to an additional £500 million. The recent local government finance settlement also provided local government with an additional £1 billion of grant funding for both adult and children’s...
More of The Earl of Courtown's written questions
