Media Oversight: Transfer of Responsibilities

Debate between Lord Hughes of Woodside and Baroness Garden of Frognal

Thursday 5th July 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

Harsh words indeed from the noble Baroness. I cannot possibly agree with her that Jeremy Hunt is a lame duck Secretary of State. He continues to run a department with important and high profile responsibilities. He is highly regarded within the fields that he covers. Nor can we forget that one of his responsibilities is for the Olympics and Paralympics, which are about to be of major significance in this country.

[Lord Hughes of Woodside]

Does the Minister share, at least in part, my rather old fashioned view? One of the reasons why we are in such a mess, not just in the broadcasting industry but in many other things, is that years ago Parliament abrogated responsibility for taking decisions and passed it on to so-called independent quangos.

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

I am not entirely sure that I agree with the noble Lord. Parliament still has the ultimate responsibility for what goes on in the country in these different areas, particularly in the field of media, which we are discussing today.

Education Bill

Debate between Lord Hughes of Woodside and Baroness Garden of Frognal

Monday 24th October 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hughes of Woodside]

I do not know why my noble friend repeats the story that we are trying to stop people understanding the background, history and traditions of this country. Nothing is further from the truth. We are saying that of course one should be able to teach all faiths at any time; we have no problem with that. However, we should not insist on collective worship from which some people are excluded.

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

Perhaps I may remind noble Lords of the rules on Report. Members may speak only once to an amendment.

[Lord Hughes of Woodside]

My Lords, I apologise.