Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill

Debate between Lord Phillips of Sudbury and Viscount Younger of Leckie

Wednesday 6th March 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord Phillips of Sudbury]

My Lords, the Minister twice said that where companies had done nothing wrong, they could still be caught and made liable under the absolute liabilities of health and safety legislation. Surely, if it is indeed the case that the legislation is so drafted that a company that had done nothing wrong is liable, the answer is to introduce a qualification to that legislation, along the lines mentioned by, among others, the noble and learned Lord, Lord Hardie, so that the situation does not recur. Would that not be a better way of proceeding, as Professor Löfstedt suggests and as the panel would enable, than to take a step into the deep unknown, with consequences that many of us fear?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I thank my noble friend for that point, which is simply noted. It does not change the views that I have expressed about where we are with the clause, but it was valuable to hear what he had to say.

Public Libraries

Debate between Lord Phillips of Sudbury and Viscount Younger of Leckie

Thursday 10th January 2013 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

The point is noted, and I will look into that. On the assumption that I am able to do it, the sentiment is there that I will put the note in the Library.

[Lord Phillips of Sudbury]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Phillips of Sudbury]

My Lords, will the Minister accept that libraries are about far more than books? In an age where community life is under great strain, they are focal points for a whole range of activities besides the traditional one. Does that not make the closure of any library a self-destructive act?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

Not necessarily. The quick answer is that library services are changing, as I mentioned earlier, as a result of changing demand. It is, however, true that there is an opportunity to use libraries for different services rather than just taking books out. This includes the use of wi-fi and the provision of coffee shops; for example, there are some libraries attached to leisure centres. I repeat, therefore, that the situation is changing.

National Lottery

Debate between Lord Phillips of Sudbury and Viscount Younger of Leckie

Tuesday 18th December 2012 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I have noted the noble Lord’s question.

[Lord Phillips of Sudbury]

My Lords, I declare an interest as a member of the National Lotteries Charities Board at its inception. Given the booming income of the National Lottery and other lotteries, has any work been done on the anti-social effects of this huge amount spent by the public?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I do not believe that there is an anti-social effect. I am not entirely clear what my noble friend is aiming at, but perhaps I can talk to him later.