Crypto Asset Technology
Debate between Lord McFall of Alcluith and Lord Jones of Cheltenham
The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)
I call the noble Lord, Lord Jones of Cheltenham, for a remote contribution.
Lord Jones of Cheltenham (LD) [V]
My Lords, has the Minister seen research from cybersecurity company NordVPN about cryptocurrency scammers targeting British pension pots? Fraud losses were more than £226 million in the year to May 2022, up 58% from £143 million in the previous year. To protect British citizens from these bitcoin bandits, will the Minister issue advice to “Beware of dodgy downloads; don’t be rushed; do your homework; be suspicious of celebrity endorsements; and use a virtual private network service so that hackers won’t be able to see what you do online”?
Carer’s Leave: Government Departments
Debate between Lord McFall of Alcluith and Lord Jones of Cheltenham(1 year, 9 months ago)
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The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)
The noble Lord, Lord Jones of Cheltenham, is contributing remotely.
Lord Jones of Cheltenham (LD) [V]
My Lords, I do not think I was meant to come in on this Question but on the third Question.
HS2: Speed Restrictions
Debate between Lord McFall of Alcluith and Lord Jones of Cheltenham(1 year, 9 months ago)
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The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)
The noble Lord, Lord Jones, will make a virtual contribution.
Lord Jones of Cheltenham (LD) [V]
My Lords, I know from serving on an HS2 Select Committee how vital it is for the track to meet the highest standard, particularly in challenging areas like the Cheshire salt mines, to prevent perturbation of the timetable. With today’s announcement of railway speed limits because of concerns about the effect of hot weather on current tracks, is the Minister satisfied that the high-quality steel being used for HS2 will cope with the likelihood that climate change will lead to more regular and more extreme hot spells?
Trades Union Congress: Levelling Up
Debate between Lord McFall of Alcluith and Lord Jones of Cheltenham(1 year, 10 months ago)
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The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)
My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Jones of Cheltenham, will make a virtual contribution.
Lord Jones of Cheltenham (LD) [V]
[Inaudible]—responsibility for good industrial relations, which are of course vital for a successful economy. On the subject of levelling up, would the Minister have a word with the boss of Sainsbury’s, whose annual salary has trebled to £3.9 million while he denies a living wage to many of his hard-working employees?
Fire and Rehire
Debate between Lord McFall of Alcluith and Lord Jones of Cheltenham(1 year, 10 months ago)
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The Lord Speaker
My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Jones of Cheltenham, is making a virtual contribution.
Lord Jones of Cheltenham (LD) [V]
My Lords, I draw attention to my registered interests. Sometimes employment contracts need updating to reflect new legislation. Under current law, if agreement cannot be reached between employer and employee, notice can be given and new contracts offered. Then employees can opt for a tribunal claiming unfair dismissal, but tribunals are taking up to 18 months to determine. What are the Government doing to speed up tribunals?
Heritage Steam Sector: Coal
Debate between Lord McFall of Alcluith and Lord Jones of Cheltenham(1 year, 11 months ago)
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The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)
My Lords, we have a virtual contribution from the noble Lord, Lord Jones of Cheltenham.
Lord Jones of Cheltenham (LD) [V]
My Lords, the closure of the Ffos-y-fran colliery and the ban on importing coal from Russia make things very difficult. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway says that the problem of future coal supplies and uncertainty about passenger numbers because of the financial squeeze mean that development projects are being put on hold. Will the Minister bear in mind that bringing coal from overseas is not only more expensive but has a huge carbon footprint?
House of Lords: Proceedings
Debate between Lord McFall of Alcluith and Lord Jones of Cheltenham
The Senior Deputy Speaker(Lord McFall of Alcluith) [V]
In terms of what we have done in the hybrid House, I would point to the committees, which have been an excellent and innovative success. In other areas, the debates are stilted, as the noble Lord points out. The Procedure Committee has sought to improve the spontaneity of proceedings—for example, by introducing a way for noble Lords to email the clerk to ask to speak after the Minister to ask questions of elucidation on some business. We are actively considering whether there is more we can do. We also know that ensuring virtual participation can contribute to live proceedings. It takes more stage management than in the past, without which our proceedings might be confusing and chaotic, given the number of noble Lords taking part. We agree with the noble Lord’s main point that proceedings are stilted and there is no substitute for human engagement and getting back to normal. The Procedure Committee is alive to that.
Lord Jones of Cheltenham (LD) [V]
Will the Senior Deputy Speaker reflect on how the hybrid House enables noble Lords to contribute remotely to proceedings when they might otherwise be prevented from doing so through disability, caring responsibilities or duties elsewhere?
The Senior Deputy Speaker(Lord McFall of Alcluith) [V]
That is a very valid question, for which I thank the noble Lord. As I mentioned, the Procedure Committee will be meeting soon and I will bring his and other Members’ comments to its attention.