Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill

Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb

Committee stage
Tuesday 16th December 2025 Grand Committee

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

May I ask the Minister something? I am so sorry if she already responded to this; if she did, I did not catch it. We could simply pass this Bill—I understand the urgency here—but we could also add something to it. I do not accept that a lot of the things we have talked about are included anywhere else. Those things are simply put and explicit in the amendments here. I do not understand why the Government would not think about just adding them to the Bill.

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

The noble Baroness is right; I did not reply to that point. She will be neither surprised nor pleased to hear that that is not the Government’s intention. We want to get this Bill through in order to get on with being able to participate in the Conference of the Parties. The view of Defra Ministers is, I think, that we ought to consult on or consider any additional measures in the light of other decisions being made. I know that that is not what the noble Baroness wants to hear today—I hope that she does not interpret this as any disinclination from the Government to move forward on the things that I know matter so much to her—but that is not what we want to do with this piece of legislation.

Diplomatic Missions: Unpaid Charges

Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb

Wednesday 16th July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

As I have said, there are a range of options available. It has been suggested that we impound diplomatic vehicles—seize them and prevent them being used—and other such measures have been suggested. But for the time being, we continue to raise these issues directly with missions in this country and we think that is the best approach for now.

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

My Lords, I am so sorry but that is far too much patience. This has been going on ever since the congestion charge first came in. They have racked up these debts, and I love the idea from the noble Lord, Lord Harris: we have a record of which cars have infringed the congestion charge—we should clamp them all.

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

All I would say is that diplomacy is an art, and it comes more naturally to some than to others, perhaps. We keep this under consideration, but I think it is right that we do not escalate this issue above some of our very real concerns around security, defence and trade that we seek to work very closely with our counterparts on.

International Anti-Corruption Court

Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb

Monday 2nd September 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I am always trepidatious when my noble friend stands up. Probably the best thing I can do is commit to raising the issue of the Covid corruption commissioner with my relevant colleagues in the Department of Health.

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

The noble Lord opposite made a very good point that there seems to have been an awful lot of corruption over the past 14 years, and presumably into the future. Perhaps the unit needs better funding.

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I will take on board the comments of the noble Baroness.