My Lords, while there is a case for protection for speciality steels for sectors like the nuclear industry, surely the Government’s wider policy on quotas and tariffs is harmful to British industry as a whole. The awkward reality is that the domestic steel industry cannot supply the total demand in...

My Lords, while there is a case for protection for speciality steels for sectors like the nuclear industry, surely the Government’s wider policy on quotas and tariffs is harmful to British industry as a whole. The awkward reality is that the domestic steel industry cannot supply the total demand in...

My Lords, is not the decision by the Government to try to protect British Steel by imposing tariffs of up to 50% and reducing quotas down by 60% on imported steel a profound mistake? It harms steel processers and steel users. Let us not forget that steel users are much...

My Lords, is not the decision by the Government to try to protect British Steel by imposing tariffs of up to 50% and reducing quotas down by 60% on imported steel a profound mistake? It harms steel processers and steel users. Let us not forget that steel users are much...

My Lords, I want to talk about the war in the Gulf. I do not often agree with Rachel Reeves but I had some sympathy with her when she told her opposite number in America that the war in Iran had made the world more dangerous. The Iranian regime is...

My Lords, I want to talk about the war in the Gulf. I do not often agree with Rachel Reeves but I had some sympathy with her when she told her opposite number in America that the war in Iran had made the world more dangerous. The Iranian regime is...

My Lords—

My Lords—

My Lords, I am extremely pleased that the Minister has confirmed that price controls, if they came in, would be voluntary. However, we have also been informed by his replies that it is going to be voluntary in exchange for a regulatory incentive. If certain regulations will be repealed in...

My Lords, I am extremely pleased that the Minister has confirmed that price controls, if they came in, would be voluntary. However, we have also been informed by his replies that it is going to be voluntary in exchange for a regulatory incentive. If certain regulations will be repealed in...

My Lords, I join with others in saying how sad it is to say goodbye to the noble Lord, Lord St John of Bletso. He will be much missed, particularly for his contributions on Africa and the global south, and for his contributions to debate, as his powerful speech showed...

My Lords, I join with others in saying how sad it is to say goodbye to the noble Lord, Lord St John of Bletso. He will be much missed, particularly for his contributions on Africa and the global south, and for his contributions to debate, as his powerful speech showed...

Lords private notice question on what assessment they have made of the impact on the UK economy of the announcement by President Donald Trump of increased tariffs, and what representations they plan to make to the government of the United States.

Lords private notice question on what assessment they have made of the impact on the UK economy of the announcement by President Donald Trump of increased tariffs, and what representations they plan to make to the government of the United States.

I thank the Minister for that helpful reply. Does he agree that, following the Supreme Court judgment, the decision of the United States President to impose, even on a temporary basis, tariffs of up to 15% is deeply damaging to confidence, both in this economy and in that of the...

I thank the Minister for that helpful reply. Does he agree that, following the Supreme Court judgment, the decision of the United States President to impose, even on a temporary basis, tariffs of up to 15% is deeply damaging to confidence, both in this economy and in that of the...

My Lords, it is a great pleasure for me on behalf of these Benches, this side of the House, to congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Gill, on her admirable maiden speech. She referred to feeling a little intimidated coming here and to the experience and depth of knowledge in this...

My Lords, it is a great pleasure for me on behalf of these Benches, this side of the House, to congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Gill, on her admirable maiden speech. She referred to feeling a little intimidated coming here and to the experience and depth of knowledge in this...

I am just finishing—is now pleading for exclusion from any steps towards alignment. The Liberals claim a customs union would boost government revenues. They have suddenly become followers of Donald Trump, believing that “tariff” is

the most beautiful word in the English language, but a customs union would mean that...

I am just finishing—is now pleading for exclusion from any steps towards alignment. The Liberals claim a customs union would boost government revenues. They have suddenly become followers of Donald Trump, believing that “tariff” is

the most beautiful word in the English language, but a customs union would mean that...

My Lords, I congratulate the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Portsmouth on his engaging and humorous maiden speech, which combined passion with making some very serious points. We look forward very much to working with him, and to his future contributions.

On taking office, the Prime Minister said that he...

My Lords, I congratulate the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Portsmouth on his engaging and humorous maiden speech, which combined passion with making some very serious points. We look forward very much to working with him, and to his future contributions.

On taking office, the Prime Minister said that he...

If the Minister will allow me, he spoke about GDP being reduced by four percentage points. I assume he is referring to the OBR’s original projection, which was over the next 15 years. So far, we have not had the 15 years, and he is thoroughly misrepresenting the situation if...

If the Minister will allow me, he spoke about GDP being reduced by four percentage points. I assume he is referring to the OBR’s original projection, which was over the next 15 years. So far, we have not had the 15 years, and he is thoroughly misrepresenting the situation if...

My Lords, I speak with enormous hesitation on this complex and sensitive issue. Any Second Reading of a Bill must inevitably discuss the principle behind it. I acknowledge the principle of choice and the argument that, by changing the law, we may avoid unnecessary pain. Against that has to be...

My Lords, I speak with enormous hesitation on this complex and sensitive issue. Any Second Reading of a Bill must inevitably discuss the principle behind it. I acknowledge the principle of choice and the argument that, by changing the law, we may avoid unnecessary pain. Against that has to be...

My Lords, the loss of AstraZeneca, were it to happen, would be a devastating blow to the London Stock Exchange. Is it not therefore very important, if we are to retain the listings, that the Government have a supportive policy for life sciences in particular? Is it not regrettable, first, that the life sciences review has not yet appeared and, secondly, that the Government refused to back the vaccine plant at Speke near Liverpool? The Government also increased the rebate payable by pharma companies from drug sales from 15% to 22%—a stealth increase if ever there was one. Is it not important that, if we want to retain the listings, which will mean retaining the research, development and employment, we have a proper strategy with these companies and do not just regard them as cash cows but valuable investments to be encouraged?

My Lords, the loss of AstraZeneca, were it to happen, would be a devastating blow to the London Stock Exchange. Is it not therefore very important, if we are to retain the listings, that the Government have a supportive policy for life sciences in particular? Is it not regrettable, first, that the life sciences review has not yet appeared and, secondly, that the Government refused to back the vaccine plant at Speke near Liverpool? The Government also increased the rebate payable by pharma companies from drug sales from 15% to 22%—a stealth increase if ever there was one. Is it not important that, if we want to retain the listings, which will mean retaining the research, development and employment, we have a proper strategy with these companies and do not just regard them as cash cows but valuable investments to be encouraged?

My Lords, over the years, Governments have introduced their industrial strategies—I remember the industrial strategy of the Callaghan Government—but I think sometimes they think that they have found a policy when they have simply found a phrase. Industrial strategies in the past have tended to lead to a lot of...

My Lords, over the years, Governments have introduced their industrial strategies—I remember the industrial strategy of the Callaghan Government—but I think sometimes they think that they have found a policy when they have simply found a phrase. Industrial strategies in the past have tended to lead to a lot of...

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether all the microphones in the Chamber work; and, if not, what plans there are to repair them.

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether all the microphones in the Chamber work; and, if not, what plans there are to repair them.

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessment he has made of whether the microphones and audio system in the Moses Room are fit for purpose.

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessment he has made of whether the microphones and audio system in the Moses Room are fit for purpose.

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker when the microphones and audio systems in the Committee Corridor were last inspected; and whether their quality was judged satisfactory.

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker when the microphones and audio systems in the Committee Corridor were last inspected; and whether their quality was judged satisfactory.

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what consideration he has given to commissioning a review by independent consultants to determine whether the microphones and audio systems in the House of Lords are of a satisfactory standard.

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what consideration he has given to commissioning a review by independent consultants to determine whether the microphones and audio systems in the House of Lords are of a satisfactory standard.

My Lords, I refer to my entry in the register of interests. It would be catastrophic if Iran were ever to get a nuclear weapon; I am totally opposed to that. I totally support the right of Israel to defend itself and to exist; I totally condemn many of the...

My Lords, I refer to my entry in the register of interests. It would be catastrophic if Iran were ever to get a nuclear weapon; I am totally opposed to that. I totally support the right of Israel to defend itself and to exist; I totally condemn many of the...