To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he last met Ministers from the devolved Administrations to discuss joint working on plant health strategies.

[134714]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he last met Ministers from the devolved Administrations to discuss joint working on plant health strategies.

[134714]

My right honourable friend the Minister for Disabled People (Esther McVey) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

The Independent Living Fund (ILF) was created in 1988 when direct payments could not be made by local authorities and there was very limited choice and control available for disabled people within the...

My right honourable friend the Minister for Disabled People (Esther McVey) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

The Independent Living Fund (ILF) was created in 1988 when direct payments could not be made by local authorities and there was very limited choice and control available for disabled people within the...

The independent living fund (ILF) was created in 1988 when direct payments could not be made by local authorities and there was very limited choice and control available for disabled people within the mainstream system. Since its inception the ILF has played a valuable role in demonstrating that disabled people,...

The independent living fund (ILF) was created in 1988 when direct payments could not be made by local authorities and there was very limited choice and control available for disabled people within the mainstream system. Since its inception the ILF has played a valuable role in demonstrating that disabled people,...

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2012, Official Report, column 358W, on devolution, what meetings she has had on devolution; who attended such meetings; what was discussed; and what steps she took after each such meeting.

[132332]

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2012, Official Report, column 358W, on devolution, what meetings she has had on devolution; who attended such meetings; what was discussed; and what steps she took after each such meeting.

[132332]

Moved by

Lord Wallace of Tankerness

Moved by

Lord Wallace of Tankerness

My Lords, I will provide the Grand Committee with a brief summary of what this order seeks to achieve. The order is made under Section 30(2) and (4) of the Scotland Act 1998; in other words, it is a Section 30 order, like that which seems to have dominated much...

My Lords, I will provide the Grand Committee with a brief summary of what this order seeks to achieve. The order is made under Section 30(2) and (4) of the Scotland Act 1998; in other words, it is a Section 30 order, like that which seems to have dominated much...

My Lords, once again I thank the Minister and his staff for the admirable help and support that they have given me in looking at this legislation. My admiration for the noble Lord’s organisational abilities is somewhat dented this afternoon because he was not able to get the order higher...

My Lords, once again I thank the Minister and his staff for the admirable help and support that they have given me in looking at this legislation. My admiration for the noble Lord’s organisational abilities is somewhat dented this afternoon because he was not able to get the order higher...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord McAvoy. Like me, he may have transport to catch to get back to Scotland. I think that I am just about all right at the moment, but I hear the point that he makes.

The noble Lord’s first question was about funding. I...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord McAvoy. Like me, he may have transport to catch to get back to Scotland. I think that I am just about all right at the moment, but I hear the point that he makes.

The noble Lord’s first question was about funding. I...

I am pleased to announce the transfer of a package of Homes and Communities Agency functions and assets to Milton Keynes council, expected to take place on 14 January 2013.

The transfer of these functions and assets is a significant step for Milton Keynes council as it gives them, at last,...

I am pleased to announce the transfer of a package of Homes and Communities Agency functions and assets to Milton Keynes council, expected to take place on 14 January 2013.

The transfer of these functions and assets is a significant step for Milton Keynes council as it gives them, at last,...

My honourable friend the Minister for Housing (Mark Prisk) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I am pleased to announce the transfer of a package of Homes and Communities Agency functions and assets to Milton Keynes Council, expected to take place on 14 January 2013.

The transfer of these functions...

My honourable friend the Minister for Housing (Mark Prisk) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I am pleased to announce the transfer of a package of Homes and Communities Agency functions and assets to Milton Keynes Council, expected to take place on 14 January 2013.

The transfer of these functions...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what responsibilities the Minister for the Armed Forces has for liaison with the devolved Administrations.

[132358]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what responsibilities the Minister for the Armed Forces has for liaison with the devolved Administrations.

[132358]

Motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

Motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

My Lords, this is the first occasion I have had to sponsor a short debate. I am glad to have the opportunity to focus on the recommendations of the Silk commission’s first report, published last month, and, through my Question on the Order Paper, to invite the Government to spell...

My Lords, this is the first occasion I have had to sponsor a short debate. I am glad to have the opportunity to focus on the recommendations of the Silk commission’s first report, published last month, and, through my Question on the Order Paper, to invite the Government to spell...

My Lords, the Silk commission indirectly draws attention to a fundamental weakness of the devolution settlement, with Wales consistently subordinated for what are said to be historical reasons but are in fact quite unhistorical reasons. It is an asymmetric settlement that has in some respects undermined the Welsh Assembly. As...

My Lords, the Silk commission indirectly draws attention to a fundamental weakness of the devolution settlement, with Wales consistently subordinated for what are said to be historical reasons but are in fact quite unhistorical reasons. It is an asymmetric settlement that has in some respects undermined the Welsh Assembly. As...

My Lords, I appreciate very much the opportunity to speak again on these matters; as we have heard, this is one of a series of debates we are holding. The Silk commission is the natural progression of what has been happening in Wales over the past century. It is a...

My Lords, I appreciate very much the opportunity to speak again on these matters; as we have heard, this is one of a series of debates we are holding. The Silk commission is the natural progression of what has been happening in Wales over the past century. It is a...

My Lords, I, too, congratulate my noble friend Lord Wigley on achieving this debate. Few people in the past 100 years have contributed as honourably and richly to the cause of Welsh devolution as he has.

The referendum of March last year gave Wales limited but nevertheless very wide-ranging primary legislative...

My Lords, I, too, congratulate my noble friend Lord Wigley on achieving this debate. Few people in the past 100 years have contributed as honourably and richly to the cause of Welsh devolution as he has.

The referendum of March last year gave Wales limited but nevertheless very wide-ranging primary legislative...

My Lords, I support a number of findings of the Silk commission. I support the proposed transfer of stamp duty land tax, of minor taxes and of business rates, as mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Wigley. I also support the idea of additional borrowing powers. It is absolutely absurd...

My Lords, I support a number of findings of the Silk commission. I support the proposed transfer of stamp duty land tax, of minor taxes and of business rates, as mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Wigley. I also support the idea of additional borrowing powers. It is absolutely absurd...