"My Lords, the Minister and I have a long and mainly happy history of trying to reform the water industry, including the replacement of Ofwat. I read with interest the 88 recommendations in this very timely and useful report. There is a lot to discuss, much of it welcome, but …..." Lord Cromwell - View Speech
"My Lords, two practical things are puzzling me. First, if we swallow the ideas that 15% does not bring influence and that it can be checked, monitored and proved—both of which are quite big mouthfuls to swallow—what action will actually be taken? What penalty will be imposed that will not …..." Lord Cromwell - View Speech
"My Lords, it is a great pleasure to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Kennedy. I have also enjoyed my encounters with the Minister, with her, to discuss these issues. I rise to speak to Amendment 110 in my name. I am very grateful for the support of the noble Lords, …..." Lord Cromwell - View Speech
"My Lords, I thank all those who spoke in support of this amendment. The noble Lord, Lord Hogan-Howe, was very candid in his acknowledgement—he is on his way here, I believe—of the issue with the police’s application of the 1997 Act. The noble Lord, Lord Best, underlined the need for …..." Lord Cromwell - View Speech
"I will speak very briefly on the three amendments. I am very grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady O’Grady, for namechecking me among the illustrious supporters.
First, on government Amendment 46, I have been going on about NDAs and whistleblowers for a long time over the years and it is …..." Lord Cromwell - View Speech
"My Lords, while we are all pondering what might have been, I will just say that I agree, to an extent, with the noble Lords, Lord Jackson and Lord Hannan. Something that worries me about HOLAC, or any kind of body like it, is that the establishment appoints itself, which …..." Lord Cromwell - View Speech
"I agree very much with the noble Lord, Lord Newby, who said almost everything I was about to say in the next group, but it is no less welcome for that. I just want to pick up the point about us all voting for each other. I was here in …..." Lord Cromwell - View Speech
"I cannot resist responding to that, because I agree with it. One of the problems we have is that the Whips do not have sufficient power to tap people on the shoulder and tell them it is really time, whatever age they are, if they are infirm. From that point …..." Lord Cromwell - View Speech