Brexit: Border Crossings

Lord Hamilton of Epsom Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd November 2017 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Sugg]

I would be delighted to put our officials in touch. We absolutely are aware of the technology-based options and are looking at those. In our future partnership paper, which we published in August, we proposed that we would use a highly stream- lined customs arrangement and bilateral technology-based solutions to speed up processes and ensure that traffic can flow smoothly.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom (Con)]

Will my noble friend confirm that the Irish negotiations for delay-free border crossings are well advanced, with a large amount of agreement on both sides? Will that not act as a template for our negotiations with the rest of the EU on the continent?

[Baroness Sugg]

I agree with my noble friend that it is absolutely key to ensure a close relationship between Northern Ireland and Ireland after exit. As we have made clear, we must aim to avoid any physical infrastructure on the land border. We recognise the economic, social and cultural context of the border. Of course, we are working together to find a creative solution.

Transport: Pedicabs

Lord Hamilton of Epsom Excerpts

Thursday 27th April 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

As my noble friend is aware, cycle lanes are primarily a responsibility of the Mayor of London. I know that views have been expressed in this House and elsewhere, and I am sure those will be taken into account if reviews are carried out of cycle lanes and their operation in London.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom (Con)]

Can my noble friend assure the House that the pledge he has made to legislate on this matter will not become a manifesto commitment?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

Again, I am not going to pre-judge the commitments in a manifesto. I have made as clear as I can at this juncture the intention of the current Government and my personal view in this respect, as someone who oversees legislation and indeed the operation and co-ordination of such activity in London with the Mayor of London. Whoever the Government are, I am sure they will continue to work with the Mayor of London in ensuring that we regulate this industry in the years to come.

Helicopter Flights: Central London

Lord Hamilton of Epsom Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd January 2013 Lords Chamber

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, it is for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch to choose whether or not to comment on this matter. Provision of fire cover in London is a matter for the mayor under the legislation introduced by the party opposite.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom]

Does my noble friend accept that many of the helicopter flights over London are carried out by the police when they carry out surveillance? It is an astronomically expensive way of doing it. Have the Government considered using drones for this activity?

Railways: London Midland Rail Franchise

Lord Hamilton of Epsom Excerpts

Wednesday 31st October 2012 Lords Chamber

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, I assure the House that my department does not have enough staff to micromanage the franchise. We have no intention of doing that. We receive reports on the cancellations but we do not need to micromanage.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom]

Is my noble friend not concerned that the noble Lord, Lord Grocott, may be suffering from a failing memory if he thinks that the days of nationalised British Rail were better than what we have today?

[Earl Attlee]

My noble friend is quite right. As all noble Lords know, since the railways were privatised, we have seen a huge increase in passenger use and freight use.

Gypsies and Travellers

Lord Hamilton of Epsom Excerpts

Tuesday 6th March 2012 Lords Chamber

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, I agree entirely with the noble Lord’s point.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom]

Does my noble friend not agree that there is a serious problem here in that as local authorities provide pitches for Gypsies and Travellers, the number of Gypsies and Travellers increases, so we are always behind the curve? Is there not a problem here if we go on providing pitches and the demand continues to increase?

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, there are some who think that; it may be the case or it may not. Our duty is to meet the need and we are doing that by means of the new homes bonus and other incentives to deal with the problem identified by my noble friend.