Lord Gavron: My Lords, like the noble Lord, Lord Tugendhat, I address Clause 70(4) and proposed new Section 439A on directors' pay. I am advised by colleagues in the House that I should state my qualifications for speaking on this subject. In 1964, I started my own firm and I retired from it, when it was a public company, after 29 years as chief executive and chairman. I also served as a non-executive...
Lord Gavron: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they propose any action to assist first-time property buyers following the publication of the English Housing Survey Headline Report 2010-11 on 9 February, showing that the level of owner-occupation in England has fallen to its lowest level since 1988.
Lord Gavron: I thank the Minister for her Answer. Is she aware that around 40 per cent of people living in London and parts of the south-east between the ages of 20 and 39, whose salaries are just above the limit for social housing, are still priced out of the open market because they cannot afford to buy or to rent at existing prices? These include nurses, teachers, firefighters, police officers and...
Lord Gavron: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the impact on the economy of delays and cancellations at London Heathrow Airport in December 2010.
Lord Gavron: My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply. The Spanish owners of Heathrow borrowed the money to buy it, thus leaving themselves too impoverished to invest in the infrastructure necessary for a reliable service to passengers in difficult weather conditions. This is confirmed by the Financial Times of 21 December. Do the Government think that so many of our key national institutions should...
Lord Gavron: My Lords, I, too, congratulate my noble friend Lord Puttnam on initiating this debate at the most appropriate time. I must declare an interest as a former chairman of the Guardian Media Group which, as we have heard, is part of a consortium opposing the acquisition by News Ltd of the shares it does not already own in Sky. The media business is going through a period of rapid and unprecedented...
Lord Gavron: My Lords, although the technique used in the Royal Gallery is different from the technique used by Michelangelo in painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling, would it be worth consulting the Vatican Restoration Laboratory, which established new rules in 1978 for restoration, before we abandon any idea of restoring our own wonderful murals?
Lord Gavron: My Lords, I understand that no amendments have been tabled, and that no noble Lord has indicated a wish to move a manuscript amendment or speak in Committee. Unless, therefore, any noble Lord objects, I beg to move that the order of commitment be discharged. Motion agreed.
Lord Gavron: My Lords, before I go any further, I offer an overall apology to everyone called Jones. I was brought up, like the Minister, in Wales, where we always used "Mr Jones", "Mrs Jones" or "Miss Jones" to indicate the person in the street—but always with great respect. I thank everyone who has participated in this debate and all those who have attended. I have been astonished—although I suppose...
Lord Gavron: My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time. Although the idea of the Bill was originally suggested by me to the office at No. 10 in 1997, the current timing is entirely due to the noble Lord, Lord Taverne, whose name would be on it if more than one name were permitted. The noble Lord, Lord Tugendhat, was also willing to have his name on it. The Bill was therefore...
Lord Gavron: asked Her Majesty's Government: How successful the plan to charge rent to organisations involved in digging holes in the road has been in the pilot areas.
Lord Gavron: My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his reply. On a typical day in autumn, on my four-mile journey through Camden from my home to my office, I pass 15 holes in the road, including one that is 30 yards long and one that is 50 yards long, which are controlled by traffic lights. At 10 o'clock in the morning, I have never seen more than three of the 15 holes—that is, 20 per cent—with anyone...
Lord Gavron: asked Her Majesty's Government: What progress has been made since the launch of their defence industrial policy in October 2002.
Lord Gavron: asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether the New Millennium Experience Company shareholding has now been transferred.
Lord Gavron: My Lords, I add my congratulations to the noble Lord, Lord Freyberg, and offer him my gratitude. He talked in a very erudite manner about the change in culture required in our attitudes to design. I also congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Foster. It is almost impossible to discuss design in this country without quoting the noble Lord, but seeing him sitting in the Chamber rather inhibits my...
Lord Gavron: asked Her Majesty's Government: When the public consultation on the possible ban on enriched cages in England will begin.
Lord Gavron: asked Her Majesty's Government: What is the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for July, and what will be the major European Union events for the period between 1 July 2002.
Lord Gavron: asked Her Majesty's Government: What plans the Government have to change controls for temporary use of land under Part 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.
Lord Gavron: My Lords, as some noble Lords may already know, I am well qualified to speak on insolvency, having narrowly escaped it many years ago at the beginning of my career. I was an entrepreneur who was not well versed in the mysteries of cash flow. The company that so nearly went down is now flourishing and employs some 5,000 well-paid people. I hasten to add that today it is being run by people a...
Lord Gavron: My Lords, I should like to start with an apology. Many noble Lords may think that I have already made my maiden speech. My name was indeed put down on my third day in this House by a noble Lord who is also a longstanding and dear friend. He did not consult me. He saw a suitable opportunity for me and felt confident that without any preparation I could "wing" it. I failed. I could not do so; I...