Higher Education: Funding

Debate between Baroness Williams of Trafford and Lord Elystan-Morgan

Thursday 8th January 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, the noble Lord may be aware that the Chancellor recently announced that, from 2016, postgraduate students will be able to get a loan of up to £10,000 for their studies.

[Lord Elystan-Morgan (CB)]

My Lords, is it not the case that Her Majesty’s Government have made an assessment of what proportion of student loans are likely to be recoverable? Will the noble Baroness tell the House what that figure is?

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, that figure varies—I think that my noble friend is referring to the RAB charge—because of macroeconomic factors such as earning potential and, therefore, the ability to repay. It is currently estimated to be around 45%.

Alcohol: Sale to Children

Debate between Baroness Williams of Trafford and Lord Elystan-Morgan

Wednesday 19th November 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Elystan-Morgan (CB)]

Does the noble Baroness agree that it might have been a better hallmark of responsibility and of trust towards young people had there been an investigation by health authorities of the possible injurious effect of the ingestion of alcohol in any form on young people; and that that would have been much better than surrendering to the blandishments of business, which might not be entirely free of self-interest?

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, it is my understanding that concerns were not raised by any health bodies on the matters that we are discussing today.

Serious Crime Bill [HL]

Debate between Baroness Williams of Trafford and Lord Elystan-Morgan

Tuesday 8th July 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, to answer my noble friend’s question last, and hopefully throw light on my other noble friend’s question: a “territory” is a geographical concept, the land and sea over which a state has jurisdiction. A country’s land mass may be divided into several territories, so the state of a country may also have jurisdiction over far-flung territories. For example, the state of the country of the United Kingdom has jurisdiction over various overseas territories, such as the British Virgin Islands. However, it is a matter for each state to determine, subject to the 12-mile limit. I hope I have not further confused the House.

[Lord Elystan-Morgan (CB)]

My Lords, I hope to make a marginally relevant point. Is it not the case that by now the whole concept of a belt of territorial jurisdiction, 12 miles out from land, has been outdistanced by the realities of time? Grotius, I believe, was the international lawyer, who, many centuries ago, advocated a three-mile limit. Why? Because that was the range of a powerful cannon in those days. Then, ordnance became more and more powerful. Today, 12 miles is nothing in relation to the power of ordnance. Should not the whole question of the 12 miles therefore be eradicated?