Exercise Pegasus 2025

Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Baroness Butler-Sloss

Thursday 15th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

The noble Lord is right. However, it is about not just this House and the other place but the four devolved Assemblies, making sure that all nations and regions have proper democratic oversight and engagement in any process. That is why Pegasus included not only ministerial leads, which it did, and the relevant government departments and arm’s-length bodies, but regional and national Governments, and the LRFs, to make sure that we knew who was responsible for what and at what time, and, candidly, where there are holes that we need to fill. We need to learn from previous experiences, whether that is the pandemic or the recent storms, and we need to make sure that we are prepared for what may face us. That is why I urge all noble Lords to read the National Risk Register matrix to see where the threats may come from.

[Baroness Butler-Sloss (CB)]

Can the Minister say what relationship, if any, there is with the inquiry chaired by the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Hallett?

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

We are very grateful to the noble and learned Baroness and her inquiry into Covid-19. Exercise Pegasus came out of one of the recommendations in module 1 of the inquiry, so we are reflecting on its recommendations as they are made. We have guaranteed that there will be one major tier 1 exercise per year and to publish their findings every year, which is an important part of it and one of the key recommendations that has already come from the noble and learned Baroness’s review. We look forward to her recommendations going forward.

European Union: Court of Justice

Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Baroness Butler-Sloss

Wednesday 26th February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for his question. He will appreciate that I was slightly too young for some of those agreements. But I am very aware of my history and appreciate that it was colleagues now on the Opposition Benches. We are very clear about where we stand in our relationships with the European Union. We will work to ensure that businesses and consumers are protected and that the best possible deal for Britain is delivered, while we work closely with people we consider to be friends and allies.

[Baroness Butler-Sloss (CB)]

My Lords, I wonder whether noble Lords will allow me to say something about the ECJ. I used to attend its hearings on a regular basis. I listened to many judgments, not all of which I agreed with, but I am rather dismayed to hear it criticised. In the days when I went, the judges—particularly the British judge, I have to say, but also the other judges—were excellent. They gave excellent judgments, many of which benefited women, particularly in this country—myself included.

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

I thank the noble and learned Baroness for her question and for all the work she has done historically.