Defra: Research and Development

Debate between Baroness Trumpington and Lord Strathclyde

Thursday 20th October 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Trumpington]

My Lords—

[Lord Strathclyde]

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Soulsby, has been trying to get in.

Public Disorder: Policing

Debate between Baroness Trumpington and Lord Strathclyde

Monday 13th December 2010 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Trumpington]

My Lords, I have two questions for my noble friend. First, I understand that Westminster Underground station and the road outside Parliament were closed. Surely it is not right that people should be prevented from arriving here as well as from leaving here.

Secondly, I had a tiny hope that good might come out of very bad and that the people who are tented around Parliament Square might have been overrun. However, to my great gloom this morning, there they are still. How did they manage it?

[Lord Strathclyde]

My Lords, on my noble friend’s first question, I think we all regret that Members of either House could not arrive at Parliament and leave easily on Thursday afternoon. However, pedestrian access was maintained at all times.

On my noble friend’s second question, she may well say that good could have come out of bad. However, the Government, more strategically, are looking at ways of improving the Parliament Square situation, and I hope that an announcement will be made shortly.