Companies: Executive Remuneration
Debate between Lord Bishop of Chester and Baroness Wilcox(13 years, 1 month ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
Baroness Wilcox
I am interested to hear the noble Lord’s tales of being on a FTSE 100 board. I, too, have been on a FTSE 100 board, so like him I have also served on a committee. We all know that there are problems and that things are not right. The question is how we put it right without damaging Britain’s competitiveness. Those 100 top companies employ so many people and it is very important that we get this balance right. As to his suggestion of worker representatives on company boards in the United Kingdom, we will of course look at this, in the same way that we will look at everything else in the consultation. We would be only too delighted if the noble Lord writes in and makes sure that his views are known on the record.
The Lord Bishop of Chester
My Lords, have the Government considered the evidence that the greater the inequality in remuneration, salaries and wages in a society, the greater there tends to be a great underclass in that society, which the prison population amply demonstrates? Any addressing of the issue has to take that into account.
Baroness Wilcox
My Lords, the Prime Minister himself has expressed concern about this growing divide. He feels that it is wrong for our country and does not make for a happy country. It is so important that we look again at encouraging the very big companies to make sure that there is transparency, accountability and responsibility in boardrooms today.
Young People: Creative Industries
Debate between Lord Bishop of Chester and Baroness Wilcox
Baroness Wilcox
My Lords, I do not see that to be the case. We do not have evidence of that at this time.
The Lord Bishop of Chester
My Lords, will the noble Baroness provide us with some examples of what, in her view, are non-creative industries?
Baroness Wilcox
Well, the right reverend Prelate himself represents a particular industry, which I support, although there are some who would say maybe not.
Remembrance Sunday
Debate between Lord Bishop of Chester and Baroness Wilcox
Baroness Wilcox
My Lords, I do not quite know how I can answer that question. I can only give the answer that I gave before, which is that at the moment we would not support the Bill if it were proposed.
The Lord Bishop of Chester
My Lords, would the Minister agree that Remembrance Sunday and associated events are a matter not just of individual conscience but of national policy and for society as a whole? While it would perhaps be unreasonable to restrict shops to fewer than six hours, could consideration be given to delaying the opening of shops on that day, because so many ceremonies occur at 11 o’clock in the morning on Remembrance Sunday?
Baroness Wilcox
The right reverend Prelate brings an interesting question and I am very happy to answer it. There is no Act that says that anybody has to trade on a Sunday and no reason why a shop cannot be closed. The hours that shops have are between 10 am and 6 pm for six consecutive hours. They do not have to open for six consecutive hours. If they wish to, they are free on any Sunday to open from any time during those hours. They could possibly open in the afternoon rather than in the morning of this important event.
Higher Education: Funding
Debate between Lord Bishop of Chester and Baroness Wilcox
Baroness Wilcox
My Lords, there will be consultation with the devolved authorities, of course, to see how this all progresses.
The Lord Bishop of Chester
My Lords, when the present cap was introduced, the Government of the day said strongly that it would be a cap—a limit—and that variable fees would be charged. In practice the £3,000, now indexed, has been a normal charge. Do the Government expect the £7,000 to be the normal fee, or do they genuinely expect and aim to introduce variable fees?