Baroness Howells of St Davids: Yesterday, the noble Baroness the Minister told us that the Prime Minister had asked for an urgent review, and this morning I heard the Minister say that he needs the research. I can tell him without research that he will be crippling the economy of the Caribbean, which depends solely on tourism at this moment. Also, I am not talking about the Ashcrofts of this world, but the people who live...
Baroness Howells of St Davids: Was the tax on travel to the Caribbean discussed at the Heads of Government meeting? Will the Government think again, because it is an unfair burden? We have lost bananas, we have lost sugar et cetera, and now we are told that tourism is our only means. This will definitely put a ban on tourism and certainly will not help Caribbeans in this country who are trying to get there to see their...
Baroness Howells of St Davids: My Lords, I, too, offer my congratulations to the noble Lord, Lord Sacks. I should like to crave his indulgence in the future should I attend any of the classes that he proposes. As someone who has had decades of experience in promoting race equality, I have a special interest in the Equality Bill and its provisions. However, today I will concentrate on a provision that is much needed in that...
Baroness Howells of St Davids: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Statement by Lord Mandelson on 3 November on higher education, to what extent the increase in university applications is due to applications from foreign students.
Baroness Howells of St Davids: My Lords, so far the authorities have failed—
Baroness Howells of St Davids: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the funding of the Family Days and Support Project run by the Blackburn Diocese Board of Social Responsibility has been cut.
Baroness Howells of St Davids: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the light of Sean Hodgson's successful appeal against conviction after 27 years in jail, the Parole Board will review its guidelines for dealing with parole applications by prisoners who maintain their innocence.
Baroness Howells of St Davids: To ask Her Majesty's Government how the Probation Service has responded to the findings of the National Audit Office (NAO) following its review of the Parole Board; whether the Probation Service's performance has improved since then; whether additional funds have been made available to the service; and whether other work of the Probation Service has been suspended in order to address the...
Baroness Howells of St Davids: My Lords, is the Minister aware that use of the powers under the Terrorism Act is putting a severe burden on young black men in this country? We are told by the figures that they are more than eight times more likely to be stopped. That trend was reversed after the Macpherson report. Does the Minister have any proposals to ensure that the police use their discretion wisely rather than pick on...
Baroness Howells of St Davids: My Lords, today's debate is an opportunity to explore the options for reforming the United Nations to re-establish its position as the pre-eminent institution in global politics. The UN was created on 24 October 1945 with a commitment from 50 founding members to provide a strong body with power to provide a forum for debate and resolution to preserve the peace. The role of the United Nations...
Baroness Howells of St Davids: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to end discrimination against people who have been cured of leprosy and their families.
Baroness Howells of St Davids: My Lords, when I opposed the Government's decision to reclassify cannabis in 2003, I felt then that I may have lost the argument because I did not take the trouble to read the books and reports that were produced. This time, I studied the reports, spoke with people and asked questions, and I am still of the opinion that the Government are right in reclassifying this drug. I will tell noble...
Baroness Howells of St Davids: My Lords, I would ask the noble Lord to ask the black community. How many of them were interviewed. They are the people I deal with more than most. The confusion which arose then persists. The Government are taking the right action. I would invite noble Lords, for recreational purposes, to go to one of the nightclubs where these young people congregate. You will see that cannabis is the most...
Baroness Howells of St Davids: My Lords, I know that everyone feels emotional about Baby P. Unfortunately, I am not so graced that I can keep my emotions to myself. I must ask seriously who was parenting Baby P. We know from the report that three brutes were responsible for the welfare of that innocent child, so my question is: what were the professionals, who are paid to look after the welfare of children in that borough,...
Baroness Howells of St Davids: My Lords, will the Minister indicate the specific actions that the Government will be taking when dealing with the spouses in forced marriages?
Baroness Howells of St Davids: My Lords, what safeguards have the Government put in place to ensure that Section 136 is not used disproportionately in respect of people from black and ethnic minorities?
Baroness Howells of St Davids: My Lords, the Macpherson report clearly stated that there was institutional racism in the police force. One of its suggestions was that the police force should undertake awareness training. As I understand it, that has been dropped, especially among the senior officers who are responsible for promotion. Can the Minister comment on why that was left out?
Baroness Howells of St Davids: My Lords, I support the noble Lord, Lord Lester, who seeks to have the same burden of proof applied to cases relating to colour as to cases alleging discrimination on the grounds of race and ethnicity. With the same spirit and commitment that he has shown when addressing bigotry, he has in his opening remarks today presented the House with a compelling case to consider. I feel that the House...
Baroness Howells of St Davids: My Lords, I, too, thank the noble Baroness, Lady Massey, for bringing this debate on the Children's Plan to the Floor of the House. I welcome the opportunity to comment on some of its details, with particular reference to equality of opportunity. Like the noble Baroness, I looked forward to reading the report and from an initial reading of its chapter headings, I hoped for new and innovative...
Baroness Howells of St Davids: My Lords, in 2004 I spoke passionately about the downgrading of cannabis, and the very reasons that I gave are in the report today. Mothers, teachers and other people who have control of young people will be delighted that the Government have reconsidered this matter. It is suggested that there has been a decrease in the taking of cannabis, but we have not been vigilant and we do not know the...
