Transport: A1 Dual Carriageway

Lord Geddes Excerpts

Tuesday 7th February 2017 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

The noble Baroness is absolutely correct and I stress again that we are on time with this project. However, she will know that these major road schemes have to go through particular stages, including strong consultation. We have consulted on both stretches—the dualling and the improvements north of Ellingham. Along with the improvements from Morpeth up to Ellingham, a development consent order with statutory timescales is required, so there are some necessary steps to go through to be sure that we do this work effectively.

[Lord Geddes (Con)]

My Lords, while warmly supporting the Question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Beith, I will follow up the supplementary put by my noble friend Lord Vinson. Will my noble friend on the Front Bench refute a comment made to me some years ago by the then spokesman for my party in this House on transport, in response to a supplementary question, that it was quicker to go from Newcastle to Edinburgh via Carlisle?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I am not sure that I am in a position to comment on something that was said many years ago, but speed is of the essence here. When we complete this particular upgrade of the A1 on time, freight, tourists, locals and everyone else who wants to use the road will at last be able more speedily to reach the border—and I hope beyond, but that is up to the Scottish Government.

Sex and Relationships Education

Lord Geddes Excerpts

Thursday 24th November 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

As the noble Baroness will know, in the past few years we have tried to strengthen the role of school governors to make sure that they have the right skills. It is certainly true to say that many governors coming through now are fully aware of the role that schools should play in providing a much wider education and being aware of the issues facing young people being brought up in modern Britain.

[Lord Geddes (Con)]

My Lords, is there not a particular onus on parents in the context of this Question?

[Lord Nash]

That is certainly true. My noble friend makes a very good point about parents. We have done a lot of work with parents in relation to online security and access to things such as pornographic material. Of course, schools engage with parents increasingly well, but the sad fact is that too many of our young people are brought up in homes where, frankly, the only brick in life is their school—and it is schools that have to take an increasing responsibility.

Children and Social Work Bill [HL]

Lord Geddes Excerpts

Monday 4th July 2016 Grand Committee

Relevant document: 1st Report from the Delegated Powers Committee

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Geddes) (Con)]

My Lords, as is my duty on these occasions, I must advise the Grand Committee that if there is a Division in the Chamber while we are sitting, the Committee will adjourn as soon as the Division Bells are rung and resume after 10 minutes.

Clause 1: Corporate parenting principles

Amendment 29

Moved by

Adoption

Lord Geddes Excerpts

Tuesday 8th December 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

I have just said that this was discussed in some detail last night.

[Lord Geddes (Con)]

My Lords, I may have misheard my noble friend, but I thought that in his Answer he referred to misinterpretation of court judgments. Misinterpreted by whom?

[Lord Nash]

We believe this may have been misinterpreted by some social workers with, I am sure, the best interests of children in mind. The president of the Family Division has clarified the meaning, particularly in Re B-S and in Re R, where he made it absolutely clear that the law on adoption had not changed. However, it seems that these decisions have sometimes been misinterpreted as raising the legal test for adoption so that adoption should not be pursued unless there is no other option. We are particularly concerned about this.

Education and Adoption Bill

Lord Geddes Excerpts

Tuesday 17th November 2015 Grand Committee

Relevant document: 10th Report from the Delegated Powers Committee

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Geddes) (Con)]

My Lords, it is now 3.30 pm. I am obliged to begin by advising the Grand Committee that, if there is a Division in the Chamber—which I am brave enough to say is singly unlikely—while we are sitting, this Committee will adjourn as soon as the Division Bells are rung and resume after 10 minutes.

Clause 9: Consultation about identity of Academy sponsor in certain cases

Amendment 23

Tabled by

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Storey]

Yes, absolutely. But I shall sit down.

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees]

In order that the discussion can continue, would the noble Lord be kind enough to move his amendment.

[Lord Storey]

I beg to move Amendment 23.

Education and Adoption Bill

Lord Geddes Excerpts

Thursday 5th November 2015 Grand Committee

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Geddes) (Con)]

If there is a Division in the Chamber, which is exceedingly unlikely, the Committee will adjourn for 10 minutes.

Clause 1: Coasting schools

Amendment 1

Moved by