Rhodes Wildfires: Repatriation of Holidaymakers
Debate between Earl of Courtown and Lord Harris of Haringey
The Earl of Courtown (Con)
I am afraid that is just a wee bit too wide of the Question. It was a good try, but no—sorry.
Lord Harris of Haringey (Lab)
On the point of the Question, is it not the case that many people who travel on holiday to places such as Rhodes and many other destinations do not go via tour operators but book their own accommodation and flights? What support is being given to them, rather than the simple statement that tour operators should be responsible?
Saudi Arabia: Mass Execution
Debate between Earl of Courtown and Lord Harris of Haringey
The Earl of Courtown (Con)
My Lords, all I can say to the noble Lord is that the situation is indeed dire, in so far as 81 people have been executed over the weekend—as I said, I was personally shocked—and it is a matter that we are following up at the highest level.
Lord Harris of Haringey (Lab)
My Lords, the noble Earl has twice failed to answer direct questions from my noble friends Lord Collins and Lord Liddle. Will the Prime Minister raise these issues in his discussions? If the noble Earl does not know the answer, will he say whether he would do so himself were he in the Prime Minister’s position?
The Earl of Courtown (Con)
Luckily, I am not in his position, but I think I did answer the question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Collins. I said to him that, if such meetings happen in the future—I am sure there will be some in the immediate future—these issues will be raised at the highest level.
Police: Additional Officers
Debate between Earl of Courtown and Lord Harris of Haringey
Lord Harris of Haringey (Lab)
My Lords, I refer to my interests as recorded in the register and beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
The Earl of Courtown (Con)
My Lords, the Government have committed to recruiting an additional 20,000 police officers over the next three years. Through the police uplift programme, the Home Office and policing partners will also ensure that the wider workforce is supported, including special constables, PCSOs and staff.
Lord Harris of Haringey
My Lords, we welcome the noble Earl to the Home Office portfolio, which he will enjoy with great gusto, I am sure. He has not answered the Question, which asked for a comparison of how many police officers were in position when the Conservatives came to power. Perhaps he has not answered the Question because in fact the so-called 20,000 extra officers will not bring the level back up to the level at that point. Is the noble Earl satisfied, given the documents in the Operation Yellowhammer file that suggested that there may be rioting on the streets in the event of a no-deal Brexit and the comments of a Cabinet Minister to the Times in the past few days suggesting that there will be rioting on the streets commensurate with the gilets jaunes in France if Brexit does not proceed, that the police have adequate resources to cope with the pressures that they are now facing?
The Earl of Courtown
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his question. He raises the subject of police numbers. The important thing is to look to the future. My right honourable friend the Prime Minister has announced a further 20,000 increase in the police force. Importantly, we will be aiming for 6,000 in year one, 8,000 in year two and 6,000 in year three. I am confident that the police will deal with all the demands on their time.
Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
Debate between Earl of Courtown and Lord Harris of Haringey(7 years, 7 months ago)
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Lord Harris of Haringey (Lab)
My Lords, the noble Baroness referred to the meeting on July—
The Earl of Courtown (Con)
I beg the noble Lord’s pardon but I understand that 10 minutes are allowed for questions on an Urgent Question. That time has now elapsed. I apologise to the noble Lord.
Gambling: B2 Gaming Machines
Debate between Earl of Courtown and Lord Harris of Haringey
The Earl of Courtown
My Lords, I obviously do not agree with the noble Lord, Lord Strasburger. Basically, he will be aware, of course, that in April 2015 we reviewed the regulations to put a limit of £50 on what could be staked at one time without getting added clearance. The Gambling Commission also introduced new social responsibility requirements on the whole industry last year. The industry has also taken action to introduce social responsibility codes, and new planning laws introduced in 2015 now make it harder to open new betting shops on the high street.
Lord Harris of Haringey (Lab)
My Lords, the Minister told us that his honourable friend was keeping a close eye on the question of the triennial review. How then can it be a triennial review? Are the Government not breaching the obligations set for them in terms of holding such a triennial review?
The Earl of Courtown
Of course I would not agree with the noble Lord. My honourable friend Tracey Crouch has commented on this issue in another place and is keeping a careful eye on when the triennial review will take place. The first triennial review took place in 2013.