"My Lords, quantum technology is possibly, indeed probably, the most disruptive and transformational technology yet invented by mankind. Thankfully, with our world-leading science base, the UK already has the second-highest number of start-ups working in this sector. Thankfully too, we definitely have a considered embryonic national strategy, which the Minister …..." Lord Birt - View Speech
"My Lords, I readily acknowledge that the EV charging network in the UK is growing very rapidly, but none the less there are issues. Some parts of the UK are significantly underserved: public charge points are often not sited close to where people live; grid connections can be unavailable; some …..." Lord Birt - View Speech
"My Lords, I return to the question of social housing. Since 1990, the UK’s population has grown by around 20%—an additional 12 million people. In that same period, our stock of social housing has not grown but contracted by nearly 10%. We now have fewer than 400,000 units of social …..." Lord Birt - View Speech
"My Lords, we are discussing one of the most important decisions that any individual might make in their lives. It is important for the individual and for the state. I think that it is appropriate to ask that the critical meetings with the medical practitioners should be face-to-face, because that …..." Lord Birt - View Speech
"I am sorry; perhaps the noble Baroness can talk to me later, as I could not take in what she said.
I am, frankly, open-minded about the NHS question and accept the strength of what the noble Lord, Lord Stevens, says. It may well be that this is an organisation …..." Lord Birt - View Speech
"I do not think it for us, in framing in principle amendments, to deal with that level of issue, but the noble Lord is right—that is exactly what the body should do. We are talking about highly distressed people, and it should facilitate different kinds of response and reaction to …..." Lord Birt - View Speech
"Plainly, the NHS is a very large organisation and it offers a variety of different kinds of experience. I hope none of us uses A&E very often but, like everybody else, I have used it and, in my experience, I have found it very efficient indeed at handling everything.
"My Lords, I shall speak also to all the other amendments listed in my name and that of the noble Lord, Lord Pannick, who, having assiduously attended our sessions on the Bill thus far, as all will have noticed, deeply regrets that he cannot be present with us today.
"My Lords, I will try not to keep us too long from our lunch. This has been a lively and helpful debate, and I think it has exposed a fair number of critical issues that are yet to be resolved.