Drought

Debate between Lord Hamilton of Epsom and Lord Taylor of Holbeach

Wednesday 21st March 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

My Lords, it is not for me to anticipate the contents of the Queen’s Speech, and certainly not to use the opportunity of this Question to do so. Noble Lords will know that next week we will consider a water Bill that deals with time-sensitive matters and which I hope will have the concurrence of the House. The noble Lord will have to wait to see whether the water White Paper is translated into legislation in the Queen’s Speech when it occurs.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom]

My Lords, will my noble friend comment on reports in the press recently about the proposal for a main line to be run alongside the high-speed link connecting to Birmingham and beyond, which would bring water down from the north-west to the drought-stricken regions of the south-east?

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

My noble friend anticipates a Question on the Order Paper about a national grid for water. Of course, all those matters have been considered by this and other Governments. It has been found that the interconnectivity of water systems is far more cost-effective than building a mainline grid. Water is extremely energy-expensive to pump around. Unfortunately, it does not naturally flow from the north of England to the south-east.

Government Efficiency

Debate between Lord Hamilton of Epsom and Lord Taylor of Holbeach

Thursday 7th October 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

My Lords, just as good buyers create efficient suppliers, so good government commissioning should create efficient government and value for money. That, I am sure, is what all noble Lords seek. I am sure the House will endorse the setting up of this review and applaud the outcome.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom]

My Lords, am I not right in thinking that the party opposite is in favour of the separate taxation of men and their wives? Is it not Lady Green who is the tax exile, and not Sir Philip?

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

I am not aware of the tax position of either of the people referred to by my noble friend. I am certainly not in a position to comment on them.

Welfare Reform

Debate between Lord Hamilton of Epsom and Lord Taylor of Holbeach

Tuesday 5th October 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

The spending review will be announced to Parliament on 20 October. A series of business matters arising from that review will, I am sure, interest noble Lords. Meanwhile, the policy announced at the Conservative Party conference was but an elaboration of the consultation process and the policy formation that has taken place since the Green Paper was published.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom]

My Lords, I do not think that the coalition Government will be the first to be guilty of making a special announcement at a party conference. Are they not to be congratulated—

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

I admire the noble Lord immensely for his advocacy on behalf of disabled people. The Government are very mindful of the situation and are constructing policies that will bear in mind the point that he is making.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom]

My Lords, should the Government not be congratulated on having a scheme whereby if child benefit is withdrawn from a higher-rate taxpayer, it is both fair and simple and avoids all the problems of means-testing?

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

One difficulty of all welfare systems is their complexity. It is always difficult to draw the line between a complex system and one that is more arbitrary. The Government have made the right decision in this case.