"My Lords, as the Minister knows, I am extremely supportive of the creation of a new single regulator for the water industry, which will be in the new Bill. Admittedly, however, I am slightly disappointed that it is taking quite some time to bring it into effect. When does she …..." Duke of Wellington - View Speech
"My Lords, I declare my farming interests as detailed in the register. My noble friend Lady Batters is sorry not to be here today, but she sent me a WhatsApp earlier, and if I can get the technology to work and read it, which I currently cannot, she has asked …..." Duke of Wellington - View Speech
"Then I will happily do so. My noble friend Lady Batters—I am sure we all thank her very much for the work she did in this area—did a report that has led to the production of the road map. What I, and she, now ask is: when will the road …..." Duke of Wellington - View Speech
"My Lords, I declare my interest in Spain. I very much welcome this draft treaty. I think it is very much for the benefit of the United Kingdom, Gibraltar and Spain. There is reference in the helpful note prepared by the Foreign Office to various “Parliaments with an interest”. The …..." Duke of Wellington - View Speech
"My Lords, I pay tribute to the noble Lord, Lord Ricketts, who has chaired the European Affairs Committee for the past three years. He skilfully led us to a consensus on most occasions, and all members of the committee are grateful to him.
"My Lords, the Question refers to water management, particularly in relation to protracted droughts. Does the Minister agree that one of the problems is the huge amount of water—billions of litres every year—that is lost from the system through leakage? Leakage is mentioned in the White Paper, but does the …..." Duke of Wellington - View Speech
"My Lords, I very much welcome the Statement and the White Paper, as the Minister knows, and I am particularly pleased that the Statement refers in its opening paragraph to
"My Lords, as there is still time, I will ask one further question, if the Whip will allow me. The White Paper mentions cutting leakage. The previous Government had a target of reducing leaks by 50% by 2050. It seemed to me—I asked a question in the House of the …..." Duke of Wellington - View Speech
"My Lords, in the middle of last year the excellent report came out from the Independent Water Commission which, among other things, recommended a certain restructuring of the Environment Agency. We were promised a White Paper later last year, after that report. I wonder what has happened and whether the …..." Duke of Wellington - View Speech
"My Lords, the Minister, in her reply to the noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh, mentioned Ofwat. The Independent Water Commission, which reported in July, recommended the abolition of Ofwat and the institution of a new regulator. I realise that this falls under a different department, but would the Minister be prepared …..." Duke of Wellington - View Speech