Cultural and Creative Industries: Diversity
Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
Viscount Younger of Leckie
This has certainly cropped up before; my noble friend often mentions one in particular. That is certainly noted.
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)
My Lords, has the Minister noticed that one of the astonishing growth industries in the creative sector is finding new, elaborate and innovative ways to avoid a meaningful vote?
Brexit: Research Funding
Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
Viscount Younger of Leckie
We have given certain guarantees on Erasmus+, which I have mentioned before, and there are ongoing discussions on what alternatives to it might take shape. The research side will very much depend on discussions with the EU, but Sir Adrian Smith is undertaking the independent review that I have already mentioned.
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab Co-op)
My Lords, with respect to the noble Viscount, he has not answered the question from my noble friend Lady Warwick. Will he undertake to discuss this matter with the Treasury and, having done so, write to her and put a copy in the Library?
Viscount Younger of Leckie
I can certainly alert the Chancellor to the Question that has been raised, and I am sure that he may wish to read a copy of Hansard. Beyond that, I am not prepared to give any guarantees.
Northern Ireland: Devolved Government
Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
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.
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)
My Lords, the Minister said that the Government would step in where necessary. Why is it not necessary in the case of the NHS, as the noble Lord, Lord Empey, asked?
Viscount Younger of Leckie
There could be many areas where we might all agree that it was necessary to step in. I reassure the noble Lord that the Government are prepared to step in when they think that it is necessary to protect the interests of Northern Ireland, but just point out that there is no Assembly at the moment.
Universities: Contract Cheating
Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
Viscount Younger of Leckie
I have already said that we have not discounted legislation, but my noble friend was perhaps referring to bogus degrees. We have the bogus degree project run by our contractor, Prospects, which seeks to identify and investigate illegitimate providers that mislead students by pretending to be degree-awarding bodies.
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)
My Lords, does the Minister agree that cheating in universities is nothing when compared with the cheating in the EU referendum by Nigel Farage and his cronies? In the light of the report by the Electoral Commission, should the result of that referendum now be declared invalid?
Viscount Younger of Leckie
The noble Lord is ingenious in stretching the range of the Question. I revert him back to its focus, which is exam cheating. Legislating is not particularly straightforward because the perpetrators are often international online companies, and offences need to be carefully considered to ensure any legitimate services.
Cultural Institutions: Curriculum Fund
Debate between Viscount Younger of Leckie and Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
Viscount Younger of Leckie
I cannot confirm that at the moment. I say again that we are waiting to hear the details of the curriculum fund, which will come out in due course, as I said to the noble Baroness. The House will appreciate that I should say that the arts are very important to this country, and the creative industries provide a very important sector for exports.
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)
“Why should we, in the compass of a pale,
Keep law and form and due proportion,
Showing, as in a model, our firm estate,
When our sea-walléd garden, the whole land,
Is full of weeds, her fairest flowers choked up,
Her fruit-trees all unpruned”?
Viscount Younger of Leckie
That is an interesting analogy. I am not a gardener, but I shall reflect on what the noble Lord said.