Mindanao Earthquake

Debate between Lord Lemos and Earl of Effingham

Wednesday 10th June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Lemos (Lab)]

I suppose I should have been prepared for that question. My noble friend will also be prepared for me to say I do not know the answer, but I will check. As I have said, if the Government of the Philippines asked for our help, we would provide it, but there is no suggestion that they have asked for help from the Royal Navy at the moment.

[The Earl of Effingham (Con)]

My Lords, the safety and well-being of those living in and around General Santos City is the only thing that matters right now. But, following on from my noble friend Lady Sugg, on a practical level, we have some brilliant UK-based firms with international operations that specialise in structural integrity assessment and crisis communications. Apparently, the wounded are being treated in tents because they are afraid of the hospitals collapsing. Will the FCDO engage with both our experts and the Philippines authorities so we can try to make a real difference? Surely, we do not need to be asked; we should be on the front foot.

[Lord Lemos (Lab)]

Of course we will. We will not just wait to be asked. The Philippines Government, as I have said, have made a strong response and we will respond to requests for help. Of course we prepare, plan and monitor the situation. The noble Lord knows that.

Licensing Hours Extensions Bill

Debate between Lord Lemos and Earl of Effingham

3rd reading
Friday 23rd January 2026 Lords Chamber

[The Earl of Effingham (Con)]

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords who have made valuable contributions to this Private Member’s Bill as it has made its way through your Lordships’ House. When in government, we did indeed support a similar version of the Bill as proposed by Emma Lewell from the other place, which sadly failed to pass before the general election. His Majesty’s loyal Opposition are therefore pleased to welcome the measures in the Bill as put forward by the noble Lord, Lord Watson. We thank him for his work on the Bill, in addition to his efforts to promote all sectors of the UK music industry as chair of UK Music.

At Second Reading, many noble Lords shared their extensive knowledge of the hospitality sector and the meaningful, positive impact that this legislation will have. Ensuring that pubs, bars and other licensed venues can adapt during national celebrations such as royal events, major sporting victories or cultural milestones is beneficial to both businesses and communities, allowing everyone to celebrate together and contributing in some part to economic growth. Replacing an affirmative resolution with a negative resolution statutory instrument provides a faster and simpler mechanism while at the same time retaining the option for consultation and maintaining the relevant safeguards. The net result should be that everyone benefits.

[Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Lemos) (Lab)]

My Lords, if your Lordships pass this Bill today, it will not go back to the Commons but go straight to His Majesty the King for Royal Assent. I thank my noble friend Lord Watson for bringing the Bill forward and congratulate him, as well as my honourable friends Andrew Ranger and Emma Lewell in the other place.

I wondered whether we should extend the licensing hours to celebrate the passing of this Bill, but I do not intend to test the opinion of the House on that question. The Chief Whip would have a heart attack, and I understand that he has plans for the weekend. It would also bring my late-blooming political career to an abrupt end. In an earlier debate on this Bill, the noble Lord, Lord Sandhurst, promised to drink more British beer if the Bill passes, so I think the drinks in the North Star are on the Opposition.

I do not want to trivialise the Bill. As well as the obvious economic benefits of this change, what we celebrate, when we celebrate, how we celebrate, where we celebrate and with whom we celebrate are all markers of our shared national identity. These are the occasions when, as a nation, we show the better angels of our nature. With that, and with my thanks again to my noble friend Lord Watson and all those who have supported this Bill, with the Government’s support, I commend the Bill to the House.