Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill – second reading – Baroness Fookes.
Baroness Fookes: My Lords, I declare my interest as president of the War Widows’ Association.
Baroness Fookes: While the ex gratia payment falls short of the full restitution of a war widow’s pension, which they would ideally like, it would be churlish indeed not to welcome most warmly this long-overdue and most welcome payment. Will my noble friend take into account the great age of many of these ladies and their frail condition? The government machine needs to get more of a move on than it...
Baroness Fookes: To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to publish the horticulture strategy for England as set out in the Government Food Strategy, published on 13 June 2022.
Baroness Fookes: To ask His Majesty's Government whether there are health checks in place for plants from outside the UK available for purchase on outlets such as eBay; and if not, what plans they have to avoid the spread of dangerous pests and diseases as a result of such purchases.
Baroness Fookes: The noble Baroness, Lady Harris of Richmond, is taking part remotely. I invite her to speak.
Baroness Fookes: My Lords, several gardening charities do wonderful work with people with disabilities, whether mental or otherwise. Would my noble friend look at the opportunities that are offered in horticulture, which range from simple to degree-level qualifications?
Baroness Fookes: My Lords, I think that concludes the time for questions, unless the House decides otherwise.
Baroness Fookes: I am sorry; time is now up.
Baroness Fookes: My Lords, I think it is fairly safe to say that the term “delegated legislation” will never make the headlines in the popular press or cause stirs of excitement on social media. But the irony is that this can have such an impact on the individual citizen. We could see that during the Covid-19 regulations, which had such an impact on individual people. I first became aware of the...
Baroness Fookes: My Lords, it may be for the convenience of the House if I allow a few moments to elapse before I call the next business.
Baroness Fookes: My Lords, I should like to notify the House of the retirement, with effect from Saturday 31 December 2022, of the noble Lord, Lord Lawson of Blaby, pursuant to Section 1 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014. On behalf of the House, I thank the noble Lord for his much-valued service to the House.
Baroness Fookes: My Lords, we have a virtual contribution from the noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours.
Baroness Fookes: My Lords, given that many people in ordinary households are very worried about their fuel bills this coming winter, it seems highly likely that carers, often with very delicate people to support, will be even more worried. Can my noble friend offer them any crumb of comfort?
Baroness Fookes: My Lords, is my noble friend aware that the Constitution Committee issued a very important report on the future of the United Kingdom? We would hope that intergovernmental relations will be taken very seriously, but there is a particular problem, in that the consent of the devolved Governments does not have to be sought for delegated legislation on matters that I am very aware would otherwise...
Baroness Fookes: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have tested the faux bearskins produced by the firm Ecopel; and if so, with what result.
Baroness Fookes: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to replace the bearskin caps worn by the King's Guards with faux bearskins.
Baroness Fookes: My Lords, among all the excitement about what people are called, would it not be better if we return to a common-sense approach where courtesy and kindness to all prevail?
Baroness Fookes: My Lords, can my noble friend tell me what opportunities there are for older people to receive education and training from her department? In that connection, may I point out that there are many vacancies in the horticultural industry for people whose great skills are required, and with good pay, contrary to popular belief?
Supporting the provision of careers in the horticultural sector and its role in protecting the environment – Baroness Fookes.
