🗣️ Speeches and Debates
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My Lords, I declare an interest which is in the register. Because of the advisory time limit I intend to speak as fast as Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Sherlock Holmes on the television. I shall speak separately about the opt-out—the Government’s decision to exclude the application to the UK of some 130 measures, which of course the UK is entitled to do under the Lisbon treaty—and the...
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My Lords—
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My Lords, I have a favourable approach to this amendment, which would be a substantial change in practice. However, it is important that we do not present the question of short custodial sentences and community sentences simply in terms of hard or soft sentencing, although that is what actually happens in the media comment on some of these issues. For me, the real question is what arrangement...
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My Lords, I declare an interest as I spent a large part of my career in the British public service on European Union affairs and some part of it at the European Commission. I am extremely grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Northover, in her role as “super sub”, for her introduction to the debate, given that the statement on the Government’s international position in the gracious...
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My Lords, I have been invited by the Convener of the Cross-Benches to join all the tributes to Baroness Thatcher, as I worked closely with her for some years. My memories of those years are vivid-not surprisingly, as Margaret Thatcher was never in the half light but always in the full light of events. My admiration for her is as strong as ever. There are many noble Lords whose political...
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My Lords, I declare an interest, which is in the register. I want to say one word first about the exercise on the balance of competencies currently being worked on by practically all government departments. Evidence and opinions have been called for in a wide consultation, with a deadline of 28 February for sectors including foreign policy, the internal market and animal health and welfare....
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I comprehend that point, but we have our own Constitution Committee, which has stated: "We are concerned about whether a referendum on independence will be intelligible unless it specifies that the consequence of independence is Scotland leaving the United Kingdom". What comment does the Minister have to make on that point, which is the view of our Constitution Committee? I understand the...
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My Lords, I declare an interest in that I spent a good part of my career in the British public service on European affairs and some part of it in the European Commission. I am sure that the Minister will agree with me that the wisdom of ancient China sometimes has a lesson for us today. For example, on the current soul-searching about the economic state of the eurozone, I have in mind the...
More of Lord Williamson of Horton's speeches and debates
✍️ Written Questions and Answers
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To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount of the rebate on the United Kingdom's contribution to the European Union budget from the commencement of that rebate until the year in which the United Kingdom Government agreed its reduction; and what was the total amount of the rebate from that year to date.
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asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether, in view of the World Food Programme's press release of 19 December 2007 indicating that it would be unable to help many vulnerable people in Malawi between January and June 2008 owing to lack of funds, they will make an emergency contribution to the programme in Malawi, particularly in January to March.
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asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether, when the Carers and Disabled Children Bill becomes law, advice to statutory services will make it clear that it is not only the number of hours of contact but also the burden of care which needs to be taken into consideration in determining the ability of carers to have their needs assessed.
More of Lord Williamson of Horton's written questions
