Insurance: Flood Risk Areas

Debate between Lord De Mauley and Lord Foulkes of Cumnock

Wednesday 22nd May 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord De Mauley]

I am not sure about words of one syllable, my Lords. Negotiations, and I know that some noble Lords opposite are very experienced in them, are very complex things, and this is a particularly complicated subject. We are working on it. The letter from the ABI is a good demonstration that we are close to a solution.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]

My Lords, how are the Scottish Government involved in these discussions, since the insurance industry stretches throughout the United Kingdom?

[Lord De Mauley]

I absolutely agree with the noble Lord that this problem affects the whole of the United Kingdom. The devolved Administrations are closely involved in the discussions.

Horsemeat

Debate between Lord De Mauley and Lord Foulkes of Cumnock

Thursday 14th February 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord De Mauley]

That is an important question. The answer is yes. The FSA has advised that 1% is a level of evidence at which it can take action. This is a temporary level as we undertake urgent scientific work to set the most appropriate threshold. This is the level at which the FSA can be confident that the results are reliable for enforcement purposes.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]

My Lords, what discussions has the department had with the devolved Administrations, and what has been their outcome?

[Lord De Mauley]

My Lords, there are ongoing, intense discussions with the devolved Administrations, particularly Northern Ireland. It is too early to say what the outcome will be, but the noble Lord can rest assured that we will be in close touch, not only with the devolved Administrations but, of course, with our colleagues all across the EU, as I indicated earlier.

Forestry

Debate between Lord De Mauley and Lord Foulkes of Cumnock

Tuesday 5th February 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord De Mauley]

That is certainly the intention.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]

Has the Minister ever experienced any conflict of interest by being both a Defra Minister and a woodland owner?

[Lord De Mauley]

Yes, my Lords, that it is why forestry is not within my personal policy brief.

Economy: Growth

Debate between Lord De Mauley and Lord Foulkes of Cumnock

Wednesday 18th July 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord De Mauley]

My Lords, my noble friend raised this point in a debate the other day. The building of the Olympic park and other Games venues for London 2012 has been a great success story for the UK. In order to secure over £1 billion of sponsorship, restrictions on marketing rights have had to be put in place. The many thousands of suppliers for both the build and the staging of the Games have received a full commercial rate for their goods and services. However, the Government are committed to working with the British Olympic Association and others, and through them the IOC, to find a way to ensure that contractors and subcontractors can seek a form of recognition of their superb contribution to the Games.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]

My Lords—

[Lord Tomlinson]

My Lords, does the Minister accept that the nub of the Question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Roberts, was about how to encourage demand and promote growth, and that those questions were the very ones that he did not really address in his reply? Would he take note that there is serious concern, not only on both sides of this House but in the country, about the failure to do those two things and that that is manifested in today’s Ipsos MORI poll, which shows Labour on 44%, the highest since the last general election, with the Government—the Conservatives —slumping to 31%?

Immigration: Brook House

Debate between Lord De Mauley and Lord Foulkes of Cumnock

Wednesday 14th July 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord De Mauley]

My Lords, I accept what the noble Lord says and, as I said to the noble Lord, Lord Hylton, we are looking closely at how we can achieve what he suggests should be done. As I have said, there are some problems that can delay matters, principally in the area of travel documentation, but we are looking at this closely.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]

Can the Minister clear up the position regarding the Dungavel immigration removal centre in Edinburgh? As I understand it, the Conservatives in the coalition have given in to the Liberals, so that illegal immigrants with families are no longer detained in Dungavel but are removed to England and held in centres there. Can the Minister explain the policy regarding the detention of illegal immigrants with families in Scotland?

[Lord De Mauley]

My Lords, I am sorry to disappoint the noble Lord, but today I am briefed specifically on Brook House. However, I will ensure that I write to him with an answer to his question.