Baby-changing Facilities

Lord Hannan of Kingsclere Excerpts

Tuesday 6th June 2023 Lords Chamber

[The Earl of Minto (Con)]

Although that is not entirely within my brief, I entirely agree.

[Lord Hannan of Kingsclere (Con)]

My Lords, I wonder whether the Normandy landings would have been so successful had they all been obliged to have baby-changing facilities on every vessel. This idea of state regulation for baby changing takes the nanny state to a literal level. Can my noble friend the Minister confirm that, in the other place, the Government were elected on a manifesto promising minimal regulation, and that providers of services have every incentive to offer their customers the best deal they can afford without needing to be told what to do with the full coercive power of state law?

[The Earl of Minto (Con)]

My Lords, I entirely agree. In fact, my role is about regulation and reducing the amount of it. We should all agree that, by reducing regulation, business becomes easier and more productive, everybody’s salaries improve and there are increased job opportunities.