Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill

Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Elton

Committee: 1st sitting (Hansard): House of Lords
Tuesday 30th October 2018 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I hope I have made the point that health is very much a priority. I cannot say anything more. I have also attempted to define the line that we have to take, which is an extremely difficult one in the circumstances that we have been presented with. With that, I hope the noble Lord will agree to withdraw his amendment.

[Lord Elton (Con)]

My attention is not quite as close as it was earlier today and I did not hear my noble friend’s reply on the question of paying the police. Am I confused? I understood that Amendment 8 would enable the payment of the sums due and already agreed. I did not hear his reply to that; he may have given it, but I did not hear it.

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I am not sure I gave it, but in the interests of time, I will look over what I said and write to my noble friend to give a succinct answer.

Northern Ireland: Devolved Government

Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Elton

Tuesday 4th September 2018 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I can answer only by saying that the civil servants are in charge. We want the political parties to come together to find a solution. That is the answer that I am giving.

[Lord Elton (Con)]

My Lords, where is the logic of continuing to pay Members of an Assembly which never meets?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

My noble friend will know that legislation has been brought forward to reduce their pay. It is now in the gift of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to take matters forward, should she wish.

Disabled Students’ Allowance

Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Elton

Tuesday 27th February 2018 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I cannot confirm that the review will cover that but I have no doubt that the review panel will look at the different types of specific learning difficulties. The right reverend Prelate will know that there is a big spread between dyslexia, dyspraxia and attention deficit disorder. The panel will look at all these issues as part of this review, focusing particularly on the diagnostic assessment.

[Lord Elton (Con)]

The noble Lord, Lord Addington, has put his finger on what appears to be a pretty simple, straightforward case. My noble friend’s Answer reveals that the Government may have many further considerations before they are in a position to resolve this question. That being the case, will he talk to the usual channels and arrange for us to debate the result of the review when it comes to us?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I am certainly happy to talk to the usual channels through my noble friend the Chief Whip, but would not like to promise anything. We await the results of this review in the spring and will make them apparent.

Scotland Bill

Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Elton

Wednesday 24th February 2016 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

My Lords, my clear understanding is that no undertaking was given whatever on that basis. We remain on Report and I suggest that the House adheres to the guidelines within the Companion.

[Lord Elton (Con)]

Perhaps I could clarify the situation. As I understood it, when those remarks were made, we were discussing Parts 2 and 3 of the Bill. That is when any new regulations might apply; they do not apply this evening.

[Lord Forsyth of Drumlean]

Further to that point, perhaps the noble Viscount could confirm that that is the position. To be fair to my noble friend, he said that it was a matter for the usual channels, but we were led to believe that the usual channels would accede to this. It would be completely unacceptable if we did not have that flexibility for Parts 2 and 3, particularly as all the Statement today said was, “Haven’t we done a great job?”. It did not tell us what this was about: we are not getting that until tomorrow, which is Thursday. Although the House is sitting on Friday, there is not a great deal of time for people to absorb it.

Automotive Industry

Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Elton

Wednesday 19th March 2014 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

There is much going on across government in all sectors. I will write to the noble Lord with details of that particular issue. At the moment, we are focused on the automotive car sector and supply chains.

[Lord Elton (Con)]

My Lords, the Minister recognised the need for innovation in maintaining a healthy industry. Innovation depends on R&D—research and development. The Government have a programme for grant-aiding research and development in industry. The important thing is that the money comes while the initiative and manpower are there to accept it. What is the average time taken by the Government to respond to applications for R&D grants? Is it faster than the snail-like progress of the European Union?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

That is a very specific question from my noble friend; I will write to him with an answer.

Consumers: Vulnerable Consumers

Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Elton

Tuesday 29th October 2013 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I certainly note the comment that the noble Baroness made. It is in line with the other comments that have been made today and has been firmly noted.

[Lord Elton (Con)]

My Lords, if the utilities were capped as to the length of a telephone call they could charge for—to, say, a couple of minutes—would they not then have a pressing interest in cutting listening to this awful recording rather effectively?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I note what my noble friend says. It is difficult to answer in more depth than that.

Supermarkets: Pricing

Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Elton

Monday 14th October 2013 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I can reassure the noble Lord that we take enforcement very seriously. As the noble Lord will be aware, enforcement of the legislation is undertaken by the Office of Fair Trading and trading standards boards. If there is an issue, the first thing that complainants should do is go to trading standards. I am also extremely aware of the major supermarket that was prosecuted for giving a misleading price on strawberries.

[Lord Elton (Con)]

My Lords, will the Minister take on board the plight of elderly single people trying to follow a balanced diet? They have to try to find a loaf of bread that does not go stale before they have finished it because the loaves are all too big.

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

Indeed, that point is also noted.