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My Lords, does the Minister not agree that it is time we looked at this situation again? There were many arguments with the then Prime Minister about nationalisation of the railway industry. The fact is that Britain is one of the very few countries in the world whose railway system is not state-owned.
My Lords, does the Minister not agree that it is time we looked at this situation again? There were many arguments with the then Prime Minister about nationalisation of the railway industry. The fact is that Britain is one of the very few countries in the world whose railway system is not state-owned.
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 July 2008
My Lords, we are where we are. Rail nationalisation and the review of the governance structure are two separate issues. The Government’s role is to ensure that we have the right level of investment—we have been increasing it over the past decade—and that we improve the range and quality of services. That is exactly where our commitment has been, and we are now reaping the benefit of that investment as the number of people travelling by rail—40 per cent up on 10 years ago—demonstrates.
Subjects
Management; Network Rail
Date
21 July 2008
Reference
703 c1509
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, does the Minister agree that, although it might be quite romantic to know about Gypsies, caravans and all that lovely stuff, they can be a massive problem for people who live in rural areas?
My Lords, does the Minister agree that, although it might be quite romantic to know about Gypsies, caravans and all that lovely stuff, they can be a massive problem for people who live in rural areas?
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
16 July 2008
My Lords, the Government have been called many things, but I do not recall romantic being one of them. This concept is not a romantic one; it is concerned with factual issues to guide public policy to reduce the very problems which the noble Lord suggests arise from time to time. When we are in a better position to assess the population concerned, we will be better able to provide it with the necessary sites and make provisions in other respects and to avoid the tensions that occur when provision is not there.
Subjects
Census; Travellers
Date
16 July 2008
Reference
703 c1244-5
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, having been employed by this organisation, my view is that there is very little justification for believing that politicians make a better deal of running large companies than the people who spend their professional lives doing it.
My Lords, having been employed by this organisation, my view is that there is very little justification for believing that politicians make a better deal of running large companies than the people who spend their professional lives doing it.
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
19 June 2008
My Lords, only the noble Lord could make that observation.
Subjects
Directors; Pay; Network Rail; Standards
Date
19 June 2008
Reference
702 c1136
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, this is a very interesting subject to practically everyone in the country. Would it be useful if a study was undertaken to find out how many people selling or buying a house think of undertaking a study themselves?
My Lords, this is a very interesting subject to practically everyone in the country. Would it be useful if a study was undertaken to find out how many people selling or buying a house think of undertaking a study themselves?
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
8 May 2008
My Lords, we conducted area trials to anticipate the rollout and found that most people who took part found that the information was what they wanted. It is an evolving process. We have been as flexible as possible; today, we are laying amending regulations to extend the period of flexibility for first-day marketing and in relation to leasehold information, because that is complex. That is what the industry wants, and that is what we are doing.
Subjects
Home information packs
Date
8 May 2008
Reference
701 c670
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, does the Minister agree—I will understand if he would not dare do so—that in addition to cyclists running into lorries there is the serious problem of pedestrians being hit by cyclists?
My Lords, does the Minister agree—I will understand if he would not dare do so—that in addition to cyclists running into lorries there is the serious problem of pedestrians being hit by cyclists?
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
26 February 2008
My Lords, that is an issue about which noble Lords appear to be particularly exercised. The last time we had a short discussion on this topic, a number of noble Lords said the same thing. Yes, of course, we have occasional instances of pedestrians being hit by cyclists, but it is profoundly the case that pedestrians are most at risk from cars. Sadly, cases of pedestrians being hit by cars in any given year generate a lot of fatalities—last year, there were some 471—although, thankfully, those numbers are coming down. The number of pedestrians who are injured by cyclists is very small. I think that there were 47 recorded incidents in which there was some form of injury.
Subjects
Accidents; Cycling; Safety; Roads
Date
26 February 2008
Reference
699 c546
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I have been around this building for 45 years or so. Does not the Minister agree that the reality of this is that every time there is a major demonstration, it moves across on to that tiny patch of earth and is followed by the police with their horses? It is not a delicate place that everybody can enjoy, but one where the police have a serious problem.
My Lords, I have been around this building for 45 years or so. Does not the Minister agree that the reality of this is that every time there is a major demonstration, it moves across on to that tiny patch of earth and is followed by the police with their horses? It is not a delicate place that everybody can enjoy, but one where the police have a serious problem.
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
5 February 2008
My Lords, the noble Lord is right; there are real issues and problems, as well as those of ensuring access to the House. It is a difficult area in the sense that several authorities have responsibility for it, such as the GLA for the grass and other bodies for the pavement and so on. However, what came out clearly in our Green Paper, The Governance of Britain, was that the basis of all our consultation has been to ensure that people’s right to protest is not subject to unnecessary restrictions and with a presumption in favour of freedom of expression. That is absolutely right within the bounds of security and safety.
Subjects
Demonstrations; Parliament Square; Protest
Date
5 February 2008
Reference
698 c944
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, is the Minister aware that a much greater threat to many parts of the countryside is what are known as Travellers? Do the Government have the same degree of authority in getting some sort of Ordnung on the way in which those people behave? The local people dare not.
My Lords, is the Minister aware that a much greater threat to many parts of the countryside is what are known as Travellers? Do the Government have the same degree of authority in getting some sort of Ordnung on the way in which those people behave? The local people dare not.
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
4 December 2007
My Lords, I am aware that some people have concerns about the experience of living close to Traveller communities. That is a long-standing concern, and the Government will be looking at that through the Housing and Regeneration Bill, which has already been debated in the other place. We will have a chance later in the Session to have a serious debate about these issues.
Subjects
Housing; Planning permission
Date
4 December 2007
Reference
696 c1606
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, does the Minister believe and accept that public servants, who have no method of replying, should be constantly told how dreadfully they have behaved? Is this not happening increasingly more than it should in this House?
My Lords, does the Minister believe and accept that public servants, who have no method of replying, should be constantly told how dreadfully they have behaved? Is this not happening increasingly more than it should in this House?
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
26 November 2007
As I said, my Lords, the Metropolitan Police Authority has looked at this issue. The authorities that are set up for this sort of thing are the ones that should look at public servants. I do get worried when one finds that there is a trial by media or a trial in some other way.
Subjects
Greater London; Police; Metropolitan Police; Terrorism; Security
Date
26 November 2007
Reference
696 c1022
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, does the noble Lord agree that this may be a useful time to look again at whether the railway system as such should not be considered as something that the state ought to control?
My Lords, does the noble Lord agree that this may be a useful time to look again at whether the railway system as such should not be considered as something that the state ought to control?
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
26 November 2007
My Lords, this question often comes up in your Lordships’ House and I am intrigued that that is increasingly the case. Again, I am not sure that this would necessarily be the best use of public funds. The Government should continue to focus on the key issue of investing in the infrastructure, to ensure that trains run on time, that there are plenty of them and that they are modern, well equipped and all of those things—which of course are the passengers’ priorities.
Subjects
High speed trains; Railways; Railway network
Date
26 November 2007
Reference
696 c1026
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, does the Minister not agree that some of this friction, which undoubtedly exists across the system, is due to the fact that this country’s network is virtually the only one that is not state owned? Does he not accept that there is at least a case for saying that we should look again at privatisation?
My Lords, does the Minister not agree that some of this friction, which undoubtedly exists across the system, is due to the fact that this country’s network is virtually the only one that is not state owned? Does he not accept that there is at least a case for saying that we should look again at privatisation?
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
17 October 2007
My Lords, that is not a question that I particularly want to open up. We have had a decade of continued growth on our rail network with the current system. I recognise that any system will develop some problems, but we have had a very good record—I was about to say ““track record””—in railway growth over the past decade. I think that many of our European partners would like to equal that growth.
Subjects
High Speed 1 line; Freight; Railways
Date
17 October 2007
Reference
695 c698
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, did the Minister say that these people are not refugees? If they are not, what are they?
My Lords, did the Minister say that these people are not refugees? If they are not, what are they?
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
8 October 2007
My Lords, to be a refugee you cannot be in your country of abode. An Iraqi living in Iraq cannot be considered a refugee by this country. Similarly, if he is in another country, he cannot be a refugee as far as this country is concerned. That is why these people cannot be treated on that basis.
Subjects
Asylum; Civilians; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations
Date
8 October 2007
Reference
695 c3
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, does the Minister agree that there is frequently a discrepancy in pay between fund managers and people who raise the money and other people because if you want to keep them, they are much more expensive than part-time directors?
My Lords, does the Minister agree that there is frequently a discrepancy in pay between fund managers and people who raise the money and other people because if you want to keep them, they are much more expensive than part-time directors?
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
25 July 2007
My Lords, that is certainly the case. Any regulations that cover business and industry cover a very wide range of organisations with different needs, levels of responsibility, numbers of employees, employee relationships and contracts. That very diversity of our business and industrial life means that regulation is something on which the Government must proceed with care.
Subjects
Disclosure of information; Companies; Directors; Pay; Staff
Date
25 July 2007
Reference
694 c789
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, does the Minister have any idea at all what the Lord Chancellor thinks of this?
My Lords, does the Minister have any idea at all what the Lord Chancellor thinks of this?
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
19 June 2007
My Lords, the noble Lord said ““the Lord Chancellor””. I imagine that he meant the Chancellor. I can say with certainty and confidence that the Prime Minister will go to Brussels on Thursday and negotiate on behalf of the whole Government of the United Kingdom.
Subjects
European Union; EU reform; Treaties
Date
19 June 2007
Reference
693 c92
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, does the Minister agree that this does not sound the same as the doctrine of collective responsibility, which is at least turning up at the edges?
My Lords, does the Minister agree that this does not sound the same as the doctrine of collective responsibility, which is at least turning up at the edges?
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
16 April 2007
My Lords, there is absolutely no inconsistency between what I have said and collective responsibility: an efficient, effective Government, all agreeing on the sensible issues, discussing them beforehand, reaching an agreement and then standing by them.
Subjects
Accountability; Prime Minister; Ministerial powers; Royal prerogative
Date
16 April 2007
Reference
691 c7
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, is the Minister aware that it took 28 years to pay off the debts from the Montreal Olympics, and that Montreal was left with a lot of equipment which has become absolutely useless? Given that we seem to have serious problems with arithmetic, does he not think that the matter ought to be reconsidered?
My Lords, is the Minister aware that it took 28 years to pay off the debts from the Montreal Olympics, and that Montreal was left with a lot of equipment which has become absolutely useless? Given that we seem to have serious problems with arithmetic, does he not think that the matter ought to be reconsidered?
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
22 March 2007
My Lords, the Montreal Olympics is a dire example of things that have gone wrong in the past, but there are more recent illustrations. I do not think that the legacy of the Athens Olympics is looked upon with a great deal of pride either. In this Olympic concept and programme, the Games are the focal point of the development, but we have emphasised all along that attention to their legacy should be as positive as we can make it. That is why every aspect of the investment also relates to that dimension.
Subjects
Costs; Greater London; Olympic Games
Date
22 March 2007
Reference
690 c1344
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, is the Minister aware that a group of us spent a lot of time discussing this issue with the former Prime Minister Mrs Thatcher and that she was warned in many of those sessions? The Government ought not, therefore, to be terribly frightened; the proposal did not come from them in the first instance, which is unusual. Do they not now agree that the decision to privatise the entire railway system was a major mistake and that such a measure is unknown in almost every other European passenger railway system of any size, yet we continue with it and everyone hears the complaints? Is it not high time that we had a serious examination? A long time has passed; there is a lot of experience. Perhaps the Government could start the examination witha survey of what passengers think of the current system.
My Lords, is the Minister aware that a group of us spent a lot of time discussing this issue with the former Prime Minister Mrs Thatcher and that she was warned in many of those sessions? The Government ought not, therefore, to be terribly frightened; the proposal did not come from them in the first instance, which is unusual. Do they not now agree that the decision to privatise the entire railway system was a major mistake and that such a measure is unknown in almost every other European passenger railway system of any size, yet we continue with it and everyone hears the complaints? Is it not high time that we had a serious examination? A long time has passed; there is a lot of experience. Perhaps the Government could start the examination witha survey of what passengers think of the current system.
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
20 March 2007
My Lords, the noble Lord’s important and compelling statement about rail privatisation is absolutely right. I am sure that it will not have escaped the notice of most Members of your Lordships’ House that the Opposition themselves have begun to apologise for what they did to the rail network. We have a system of parliamentary accountability; it was our Government who ensured that it was maintained. Indeed, the legislation that followed the 2004 White Paper brought more issues back under parliamentary scrutiny so that the rail network could be held properly to account through Ministers.
Subjects
Railways; Parliamentary scrutiny
Date
20 March 2007
Reference
690 c1138-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, does the Minister agree that, given the tragic deaths of five young people over the past six days, it might be an interesting idea and helpful to invite the relatives to participate in this? After all, they know rather more about it than any of us.
My Lords, does the Minister agree that, given the tragic deaths of five young people over the past six days, it might be an interesting idea and helpful to invite the relatives to participate in this? After all, they know rather more about it than any of us.
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
19 March 2007
My Lords, it is important to know when to introduce the idea of restorative justice. Many victims indicate that they would find that helpful. However, we must wait to see whether it would be helpful in all circumstances. I regret to say to the noble Lord that it is not always the first port of call after a tragic death that looks like a murder.
Subjects
Reparation by offenders
Date
19 March 2007
Reference
690 c1001
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the basic issue is not about trees. It seems to be about the management of the railway, although it is not right to lay any particular claims about other people. Has the time not now come when it would be worth having another examination of the effects of the former Government’s decision on the structure of British Rail?
My Lords, the basic issue is not about trees. It seems to be about the management of the railway, although it is not right to lay any particular claims about other people. Has the time not now come when it would be worth having another examination of the effects of the former Government’s decision on the structure of British Rail?
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
28 February 2007
My Lords, I sympathise in general with that point of view, but I simply say that the structure that we have is the right one; it is beginning to settle down. There have been vast improvements in how the rail network operates in the last few years, and until the recent sad and tragic accident one could fairly have said that Network Rail had taken great strides toward ensuring that we have a safe, secure and well run rail network.
Subjects
Railways; Safety; Tree felling
Date
28 February 2007
Reference
689 c1595
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, does the Minister think that there is a relationship between this problem and the growth in the practice of contracting staff into the health service on short service contracts?
My Lords, does the Minister think that there is a relationship between this problem and the growth in the practice of contracting staff into the health service on short service contracts?
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
22 February 2007
My Lords, I am not aware of any hard evidence to that effect. Clearly, it is much better if organisations do not have to rely on temporary agency staff, because of continuity of care. This is certainly something that the Commission for Social Care Inspection will keep an eye on, but at the end of the day we depend—and it is right to depend—on the people who run care homes to ensure that whatever staff they have are properly trained and given the right advice and support in dealing with vulnerable people.
Subjects
Care homes; Abuse; NHS; Patients
Date
22 February 2007
Reference
689 c1169-70
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, is this not part of a general problem? Are not PSA tests a major expense for the health service? What sort of progress is being made when there seems to be so much waste?
My Lords, is this not part of a general problem? Are not PSA tests a major expense for the health service? What sort of progress is being made when there seems to be so much waste?
Asked by
Lord Marsh
(Crossbench)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
5 February 2007
My Lords, I hope that the NHS is not being wasteful. We are doing everything we can to improve its overall performance. I think that the noble Lord is referring to prostate cancer screening, which I know is of great interest. The Government's position on that is that we are committed to introducing a national screening programme for prostate cancer if and when screening and treatment techniques are sufficiently well developed. My understanding is that at present there is no evidence anywhere in the world that screening for prostate cancer would reduce mortality. At the end of the day, that must be the key consideration.
Subjects
Hepatitis; Screening
Date
5 February 2007
Reference
689 c469-70
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords