Procedural Flexibility: Scrutiny of AI and Emerging Technology

Debate between Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede and Lord Watts
Thursday 22nd October 2026

(1 week, 2 days ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede Portrait The Senior Deputy Speaker
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I recognise the noble Lord’s point and the very important nature of that report. When reports should be tabled for debate is a matter for the usual channels. I note that some committees debate before the Government have responded; that might be something that the noble Lord wishes to consider. Nevertheless, I see that the Chief Whip is here, and I am sure that the noble Lord’s point is well understood.

Lord Watts Portrait Lord Watts (Lab)
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My Lords, is it not the case that international agreement and regulation is needed? We need that as quickly as possible, given the pace of this matter.

“Hillsborough Law”

Debate between Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede and Lord Watts
Thursday 24th July 2025

(1 year, 3 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede Portrait Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede (Lab)
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My Lords, as I said before, it is a manifesto commitment to provide legal aid at inquests for victims of disasters or state-related deaths.

Lord Watts Portrait Lord Watts (Lab)
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My Lords, the right-wing press had a role to play in this scandal. Will this Bill, or any other legislation, address the issue that the media played a major role in Hillsborough and many other scandals?

Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede Portrait Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede (Lab)
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My Lords, I do not think that this Bill, which has not been published yet, will address that issue. However, I take the point that my noble friend makes. Really, he is raising a far wider concern and if there is anything more that I can say to him, I will write to him, but I think his question goes far wider that the Question itself.

Humanist Marriages

Debate between Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede and Lord Watts
Monday 2nd December 2024

(1 year, 10 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede Portrait Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede (Lab)
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The noble Baroness makes an important point. In my time as a family magistrate, I often had people in front of me who were married in religious ceremonies but not married in the eyes of the law, and we had to unpick the arrangements for those separating couples. The noble Baroness has made a very good point.

Lord Watts Portrait Lord Watts (Lab)
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My Lords, does the Minister understand the concern on these Benches that the last Government used to use “in due course” to do nothing for long periods, sometimes years? Can the Minister start a different process, and give some indication of when this matter will come back to the Chamber and where the Government will take action?

Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede Portrait Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede (Lab)
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Well, I have been advised by my Leader that I need to say “in the fullness of time”.