Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
These initiatives were driven by Lord Evans of Rainow, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to provide for the assessment of drug dependency or propensity for drug misuse of persons who, in the course of investigations for certain driving offences, have provided blood or urine samples that reveal the presence of certain drugs; and for connected purposes.
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to introduce a national day to raise awareness of the contribution of Commonwealth countries in military action of Great Britain and the Overseas Territories; and for connected purposes.
Lord Evans of Rainow has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
The Government recognises the sacrifices made by so many veterans and the profound debt of gratitude owed to those who have served our country.
Occasionally, the Government may change a bank holiday for a one-off event, such as a changing the date of the early May bank holiday in 2020 to commemorate VE Day.
The current naming conventions of bank holidays are well established, and the Government has no plans to change the name of any future bank holidays at this time.
Senior Defra officials and the Canal and River Trust’s Executive management team hold three formal meetings a year, usually in April/May, August/September, and December. Additionally, working level meetings between Defra officials and the Trust are held as necessary.
The Canal and River Trust’s statutory duties arise from various Acts of Parliament. As an independent charity, the Trust has its own internal governance structures to ensure that its performance is managed and scrutinised appropriately.
The Trust provides support to the Government in responding to Parliamentary and intra-Governmental questions and requests for information relating to its statutory duties. Parliamentarians may write directly to the Chair of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive, or other Directors about its activities. The Trust is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 relating to its statutory functions, and it also maintains an information regime that mirrors the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. The Trust also publishes information on its activities to ensure public and stakeholder accountability, under the terms of the Government grant funding agreement.
The Charity Commission has oversight of the Trust, and it is also open to anyone to bring a case where they consider there is evidence of failure to carry out statutory duties.
Senior Defra officials meet the Canal and River Trust’s executive management team formally three times a year at which a range of issues are discussed, including operational matters relating to statutory duties as appropriate. The minutes of the meetings are published on the Trust’s website. Additionally, working level meetings between Defra officials and the Trust are held as necessary.
This Government has not made an assessment of the harm to wildlife caused by litter on urban canal towpaths.
The Government looks forward to working with the new Chief Executive once he has taken up the post in October.