Public Contracts: Conflicts of Interest

Debate between Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen and Lord Foulkes of Cumnock

Thursday 17th November 2016 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen]

I do not think that I can go further than what I said about the Data Protection Act. As far as public appointments are concerned, we need to remember that there is a Commissioner for Public Appointments. Appointments come under the remit of that commissioner and they are made using the process from the commissioner’s Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies. This is a strong code of practice and it is backed up by the regulations under the Act—the Public Contracts Regulations 2015—which set out the requirement to take,

“appropriate measures to effectively prevent, identify and remedy conflicts of interest arising in the conduct of procurement procedures so as to avoid any distortion of competition and to ensure equal treatment of all economic operators”.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)]

My Lords, is the Minister aware that, when I raised the issue of a potential conflict of interest of an education Minister also being a director of an academy trust, I was told that that was allowed under the Ministerial Code? Does that not indicate that the Ministerial Code needs revision?

[Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen]

As long as the Ministerial Code is closely adhered to, along with the regulations, everything should be in order as far as appointments are concerned.

Franchise: British Citizens Abroad

Debate between Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen and Lord Foulkes of Cumnock

Thursday 20th October 2016 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen]

I think that quite a lot of people who live abroad still have houses and relatives here, and come here quite a lot. They still have a lot of connection with this country. There is no reason why they should not be allowed to have a view on the elections.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)]

Following the noble Lord, Lord Forsyth, if British citizens who have gone abroad to avoid paying British tax are allowed to vote, but EU citizens living and working in Britain, who pay tax, are not allowed to vote, what has happened to the principle of no taxation without representation?

UK Constitutional Convention

Debate between Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen and Lord Foulkes of Cumnock

Tuesday 3rd November 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will consider establishing a United Kingdom constitutional convention.

[Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen (Con)]

The Government continue to consider a variety of approaches as they reflect on the British constitution, but our immediate focus must be on implementing a fair and balanced constitutional settlement that works for all the people of the United Kingdom.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)]

My Lords, are the Government aware that such a convention is now supported by almost all the other political parties; by a wide variety of organisations, including the Local Government Association, the Electoral Reform Society and Unlock Democracy; and by most of the academics in this field—and, indeed, by many of the noble Baroness’s colleagues on her own side? When will the Government join this growing consensus so that constitutional reform is dealt with in a coherent and comprehensive way instead of in the current piecemeal fashion?

[Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen]

I know that the noble Lord is passionate about and an expert on this subject, and I would like to say to him that the objective of all these groups is one that the Government share: to ensure that while the constitution continues to evolve, it does so in a way that safeguards its stability and fairness, the unity of the nation and the sovereignty of Parliament. There will of course be plenty of opportunities for constitutional scrutiny and debate along the way.

Wilson Doctrine

Debate between Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen and Lord Foulkes of Cumnock

Wednesday 22nd July 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen]

David Anderson’s recommendations sit alongside the report of the Intelligence and Security Committee published in March and the report from the panel convened by the Royal United Services Institute. The Government are considering all these reviews and their recommendations in the round. We will bring forward proposals for pre-legislative scrutiny by a Joint Committee of both Houses in the autumn.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)]

Can the Minister assure us that the intelligence and security services, including GCHQ, will not be subjected to the kind of swingeing cuts today announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

[Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen]

That is outside my brief; I will have to write to the noble Lord on that subject.

Food Standards Agency

Debate between Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen and Lord Foulkes of Cumnock

Wednesday 10th June 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen]

I thank the noble Lord for his question—I think. I will get back to him with a full written reply.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)]

My Lords, will the Minister confirm that these cuts are those that were agreed by the coalition?

[Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen]

I cannot confirm that. On the other hand, we must wait for the steering group to come up with the results of its consultation. It is important to remember that the steering group is part of a larger group, which includes the meat industry. They are all working together, with an independent chair, supported and facilitated by FSA staff, to look into all the problems within this industry.