"My Lords, will the Minister have another go at answering my question: do the Government regard China as a threat to our national security or not?..." Lord Forsyth of Drumlean - View Speech
"My Lords, I do not know if I am alone in being frequently asked by people, from time to time, “What is the point of an unelected House of Lords?” I now have the absolutely mind-blowing answer, which is to refer them to these two days of debate on this …..." Lord Forsyth of Drumlean - View Speech
"Can the Minister explain why, despite requests from the sponsors of the Bill, and despite the precedent which has been taken with other Bills which were Private Members’ Bills but matters of conscience, such as capital punishment and abortion, the Government are not prepared to provide time so that this …..." Lord Forsyth of Drumlean - View Speech
"My Lords, I welcome all the provisions in the report, but could the committee turn its attention to the time we are given to consider important subjects at Second Readings and elsewhere? The most egregious example, where the Chief Whip has been excellent in his response, is the Bill currently …..." Lord Forsyth of Drumlean - View Speech
"Does the Minister recall his time on the Economic Affairs Committee and the report which was produced—I am not sure whether he was still on the committee at that time—on Making Tax Digital? It welcomed the move but thought it was important to take account of the burdens placed on …..." Lord Forsyth of Drumlean - View Speech
"My Lords, this amendment would simply implement the advice given by the Cabinet Secretary to the Prime Minister as to how to handle this Bill, which was to treat it in the same way as other Private Members’ Bills bringing in changes to legislation on matters of conscience, such as …..." Lord Forsyth of Drumlean - View Speech
"As an amendment to the motion that the bill be now read a second time, at end to insert “but that this House calls upon His Majesty’s Government, in the light of the 32nd Report from the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee, to ensure sufficient time is available for …..." Lord Forsyth of Drumlean - View Speech
"My Lords, if people are better off not working and being on benefits than they are working at the minimum wage, is the Minister surprised that we have millions of people who should be working and who are not?..." Lord Forsyth of Drumlean - View Speech