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My Lords, when looking at public inquiries, could the Minister also look at the issue of the veterans Bill that will come forward? This is the same sort of thing, as it is exposing veterans of conflict in Northern Ireland to inquiries 30 and 40 years later. There is something very odd about this. Could she please look at that as well, because most of us feel that it is unwarranted and disreputable?
My Lords, when looking at public inquiries, could the Minister also look at the issue of the veterans Bill that will come forward? This is the same sort of thing, as it is exposing veterans of conflict in Northern Ireland to inquiries 30 and 40 years later. There is something very odd about this. Could she please look at that as well, because most of us feel that it is unwarranted and disreputable?
I will speak to my noble friend Lady Anderson and my noble friend Lord Coaker regarding the point that the noble Lord raised.
My Lords, is this not a question of letting people choose whether they wish to vote or register to vote? This seems an easy thing. I hate to agree with the Government on this, but taking caution is a very sensible thing to do.
My Lords, is this not a question of letting people choose whether they wish to vote or register to vote? This seems an easy thing. I hate to agree with the Government on this, but taking caution is a very sensible thing to do.
I did not expect to get that support, but I am very grateful for it. The Government support the use of pilots to test and evaluate electoral reforms—which is exactly what we have been doing through this process—where there is a clear case for doing so, but we do not have any plans for piloting compulsory voting at this time. We want to remove those barriers to participation, make it easier for eligible electors to register and vote, and make sure that we encourage the 7 or 8 million voters who could vote but who are currently not registered to get on the register.
My Lords, will the Minister explain to Natural England that game crops put out tend to lead to a vast number of songbirds? It is not by chance that they go there to feed. Will she explain that to it so that it can perhaps stop trying to assault people who put down birds?
My Lords, will the Minister explain to Natural England that game crops put out tend to lead to a vast number of songbirds? It is not by chance that they go there to feed. Will she explain that to it so that it can perhaps stop trying to assault people who put down birds?
I am not aware of Natural England assaulting anybody. However, I do not think this Government have ever said that they are against high-quality shooting. I think we have said quite clearly that we support well-managed estates. In fact, I am going to be visiting one on Friday.
How many NATO counterparts with whom the Minister has discussed this, particularly the Americans, have agreed with his summation of political problems?
How many NATO counterparts with whom the Minister has discussed this, particularly the Americans, have agreed with his summation of political problems?
I am so sorry—I might have missed the end of the noble Lord’s question, but if it is about the frequency with which we discuss with our NATO allies the important contemporary issues of the day as they present themselves on the battlefield, or potential battlefields, those are ongoing discussions with intensity and purpose. They are not, of course, limited simply to NATO. More generally, our discussions with allies across the globe focus on the issues of the day, working together for the common good.
My Lords, I have kept two hares in my time: one 50 years ago, and one about 10 years ago. They were absolutely delightful. I would not dream of hurting hares, and I would not dream of shooting one. However, this is quite difficult, because the close season for hares gives them quite a long time. There may be ways to protect hares, other than what the Minister is suggesting, that we should pursue, including cutting down courses.
My Lords, I have kept two hares in my time: one 50 years ago, and one about 10 years ago. They were absolutely delightful. I would not dream of hurting hares, and I would not dream of shooting one. However, this is quite difficult, because the close season for hares gives them quite a long time. There may be ways to protect hares, other than what the Minister is suggesting, that we should pursue, including cutting down courses.
The noble Lord is entitled to his views on this, as everybody is. However, having looked at the evidence, my view is that a close season should run from the beginning of February through to the autumn.
My Lords, the point is that £100,000 is not a huge amount of money. I am glad that the Labour Peers want to pay, but it is very important to encourage people to stay here to keep their money in the country. If they are taxed beyond belief, they will leave. That is not just any old Conservative Peer but people throughout the streets. The Minister must know that, but does he agree?
My Lords, the point is that £100,000 is not a huge amount of money. I am glad that the Labour Peers want to pay, but it is very important to encourage people to stay here to keep their money in the country. If they are taxed beyond belief, they will leave. That is not just any old Conservative Peer but people throughout the streets. The Minister must know that, but does he agree?
The noble Lord says that £100,000 is not very much money. He may like to know that average earnings are around £33,000, which is well below the higher-rate threshold, and around 80% of taxpayers pay only the basic rate.
My Lords, is it not the case that Taiwan is very much threatened by China? Could the Minister please tell the House what actions the Government are taking to produce some hardware there that can protect Taiwan in any way?
My Lords, is it not the case that Taiwan is very much threatened by China? Could the Minister please tell the House what actions the Government are taking to produce some hardware there that can protect Taiwan in any way?
As I said, the Government will always put national security first. We are taking seriously any risks to Taiwan and to the status quo. However, I do not think the noble Lord would expect me to comment specifically on China and its attitudes; that is a matter for the Chinese Government. As I have said, we do not want to see any unilateral change in the current situation.
My Lords, I find that a rather strange response. David Lammy said that we would listen to the United States when we made a decision, and I think I am right in saying that Donald Trump has now come out and said that this is an act of gross stupidity. This is being pursued because of Matrix lawyers who are pursuing international law above the needs of this country. Will the Minister take this back to the department and argue against going along with the decision to give Diego Garcia to Mauritius?
My Lords, I find that a rather strange response. David Lammy said that we would listen to the United States when we made a decision, and I think I am right in saying that Donald Trump has now come out and said that this is an act of gross stupidity. This is being pursued because of Matrix lawyers who are pursuing international law above the needs of this country. Will the Minister take this back to the department and argue against going along with the decision to give Diego Garcia to Mauritius?
No. The noble Lord is completely wrong in his assertion about the motivation for doing this deal. This is about keeping this country and its citizens safe. That will always be the first priority of this Government. It is unedifying to see His Majesty’s Opposition take any opportunity to jump on a bandwagon led by Nigel Farage, who claimed this week that the President had a point in threatening Greenland’s sovereignty. We fundamentally disagree with that position.
To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recent comments by the President of the United States of America about Diego Garcia, and whether those comments have changed their policy view.
To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recent comments by the President of the United States of America about Diego Garcia, and whether those comments have changed their policy view.
My Lords, the Diego Garcia military base is essential to the security of the UK and our allies and to keeping British people safe. As we have repeatedly made clear, the agreement we have is vital for protecting our national security, guaranteeing the long-term future of a vital base for the UK and US which had been under threat. That is why the US and President Trump welcomed this deal in the spring and all our Five Eyes allies support it: they understand the security capabilities that the base provides.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks posed by the development of superintelligent AI.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks posed by the development of superintelligent AI.
There is considerable debate and uncertainty around Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Artificial Superintelligence (ASI), but the possibility of their development must be taken seriously. The increasing capabilities of AI may exacerbate existing risks and present new risks, for which the UK need to be prepared.
The role of the AI Security Institute (AISI) is to build an evidence base on these risks, so the government is equipped to understand them. AISI focuses on emerging AI risks with serious security implications, including the potential for AI to help users develop chemical and biological weapons, and the potential for loss of control presented by autonomous systems.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to repeal the Pensions Increase (Pension Scheme for Keir Starmer QC) Regulations 2013.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to repeal the Pensions Increase (Pension Scheme for Keir Starmer QC) Regulations 2013.
The 2013 regulations were introduced by the Conservative-led Coalition government to ensure the Director of Public Prosecutions’ pension scheme is uprated in line with other public service pension schemes.
My Lords, those who know about defence procurement—as the Minister does; I am encouraged by much of what he says—know that it is incredibly bureaucratic. That slows down any decisions —I do not know whether it has affected this decision—for UK-made kit rather than buying stuff off the shelf. Can the Minister please look carefully at how we can get rid of some of the bureaucracy surrounding defence procurement?
My Lords, those who know about defence procurement—as the Minister does; I am encouraged by much of what he says—know that it is incredibly bureaucratic. That slows down any decisions —I do not know whether it has affected this decision—for UK-made kit rather than buying stuff off the shelf. Can the Minister please look carefully at how we can get rid of some of the bureaucracy surrounding defence procurement?
We have recently recruited a new National Armaments Director and reforms are taking place in the Ministry of Defence. I ask this of the noble Lord and the House: why is it that in wartime we have an urgent operational requirement that cuts through bureaucracy and red tape, allowing us to deliver the weapons and equipment that our Armed Forces need? We need to ensure that that sort of attitude and culture operate in peacetime. It should not take a crisis or war to deliver the things we want and the equipment our troops need.
My Lords, this issue will go on and on; indeed, there was a UQ down in the other place this morning. I am not asking about the incompetent wannabe spies; I am asking about the Government’s motivation. The Prime Minister called in this application, as we know, following a discussion with Xi Jinping. A Chinese official asked the UK Government
“to fulfil its obligations and honour its commitments”.
It appears that the Government are quite literally kowtowing to the Chinese. Will the Minister assure the House that the warnings given by the security services and others will ensure that this embassy application is refused?
My Lords, this issue will go on and on; indeed, there was a UQ down in the other place this morning. I am not asking about the incompetent wannabe spies; I am asking about the Government’s motivation. The Prime Minister called in this application, as we know, following a discussion with Xi Jinping. A Chinese official asked the UK Government
“to fulfil its obligations and honour its commitments”.
It appears that the Government are quite literally kowtowing to the Chinese. Will the Minister assure the House that the warnings given by the security services and others will ensure that this embassy application is refused?
I am not going to give the noble Lord that assurance from the Dispatch Box. The matter is, as I said, being considered properly on planning grounds. We do not recognise the statement that he made as coming from Chinese officials. The first duty of government is to ensure our safety and security, of course, but all relevant planning considerations will be taken into account when making a decision on this case. The decision being taken by MHCLG is in line with all statutory provisions that apply to planning decisions. The inspector’s report was received by the department on 10 June. That will form part of the final decision and will be released alongside it, as will any other documents and representations that were made during the course of the consideration of the planning application.
To ask His Majesty’s Government whether the recent collapse of the case involving allegations of spying will be taken into account in the planning decision for the Chinese Embassy at the old Royal Mint.
To ask His Majesty’s Government whether the recent collapse of the case involving allegations of spying will be taken into account in the planning decision for the Chinese Embassy at the old Royal Mint.
My Lords, I understand the noble Lord connecting the two things, but Ministers will take all material planning considerations into account when the final decision is made. Planning Ministers must take decisions following the quasi-judicial process that applies to planning, meaning that they must take decisions fairly based on evidence and planning rules. The Government are committed to the probity of the planning process at all levels to ensure robust and evidence-based decision-making, and this is a decision for the MHCLG Planning Minister, independent of the rest of government.
My Lords, as so often, I agree entirely with the Minister on this matter—I know it is strange, but it is true. While we all deplore plastic waste—it is horrid, and I think that getting rid of plastic bags in general is fantastic—could she also reaffirm the enormous benefits that plastic brings in everything? We are carrying it now in our telephones and other things. It is really important that we do not throw plastics out with plastic waste.
My Lords, as so often, I agree entirely with the Minister on this matter—I know it is strange, but it is true. While we all deplore plastic waste—it is horrid, and I think that getting rid of plastic bags in general is fantastic—could she also reaffirm the enormous benefits that plastic brings in everything? We are carrying it now in our telephones and other things. It is really important that we do not throw plastics out with plastic waste.
The important thing is to make sure that we look at the pollution that plastic causes and the types of plastic that are most polluting. That is fundamentally what the debate is about.
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessment he has made of the costs of the recent works on the security door to Peers’ Entrance.
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessment he has made of the costs of the recent works on the security door to Peers’ Entrance.
My Lords, it is unacceptable that the Peers’ Entrance does not operate as it should. The commission has directed urgent work to resolve this. The commission agreed an exception to release the costs of the work at Peers’ Entrance, particularly as much of the cost relates to building and infrastructure works. The total cost has been £9.6 million. The cost to remedy defects will not be borne by the House and will be met by Parliament’s contractors.
My Lords, I do not hold the Senior Deputy Speaker responsible for this scandal, but it is a scandalous waste of public money. Who gave the security advice on the useless door and the ridiculous and ineffective fence? I was on the Joint Committee on security for some five years. We never discussed that at all. Who was responsible and who is accountable, by name, for the huge increase of nearly 50% in spending on the door? It is now nearly £10 million for a door that does not work. Somebody accountable should be identified and should perhaps resign for this terrible waste of public money.
My Lords, I do not hold the Senior Deputy Speaker responsible for this scandal, but it is a scandalous waste of public money. Who gave the security advice on the useless door and the ridiculous and ineffective fence? I was on the Joint Committee on security for some five years. We never discussed that at all. Who was responsible and who is accountable, by name, for the huge increase of nearly 50% in spending on the door? It is now nearly £10 million for a door that does not work. Somebody accountable should be identified and should perhaps resign for this terrible waste of public money.
My Lords, this is a very serious matter. As I have said before, the backdrop to this is that the Murphy review, as validated by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure, found that the West Front and this part of the Palace had considerable vulnerabilities. The director of security and the director of strategic estates, who were responsible for the programme with two outside contractors, report to the Clerk of the Parliaments and the Clerk of the House, who are the accounting officers.
The Lord Speaker has written to the noble Lord, Lord Morse, to request that he, given his experience of 10 years as Comptroller and Auditor-General of the National Audit Office, looks into the Peers’ Entrance works to examine the programme specifications and the cost. I will place a copy of the Lord Speaker’s letter in the Library so that noble Lords can have a look.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many reports have been made to police of illegal hare coursing since the Hunting Act 2004 came into force.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many reports have been made to police of illegal hare coursing since the Hunting Act 2004 came into force.
Hare coursing or poaching are not crimes which the police must record and notify to the Government. Where violence or intimidation are part of any hare coursing or poaching the most common crimes that could be recorded would be violence with injury, violence without injury or public order crimes where threats are used. However, there is no means of identifying if these are connected to hare coursing or poaching and for this reason the Government does not hold the information.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many hares they estimate are shot each year.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many hares they estimate are shot each year.
Defra holds no official statistics on the number of hares shot in England each year and therefore makes no official estimate. We are however aware of a number of estimates made by stakeholder groups which range markedly from the low tens of thousands to the low hundreds of thousands.
To ask His Majesty's Government what information they have on changes in the population of hares in England and Wales over the past 30 years.
To ask His Majesty's Government what information they have on changes in the population of hares in England and Wales over the past 30 years.
There has been a historic decline of brown hares in Britain, predominantly shown through the game bag records, but there is some uncertainty about whether that decline is continuing. The British Trust for Ornithology’s Breeding Bird Survey (Heywood et al, 2025), which records mammals as well as birds, shows an increasing trend of 47% in the English population of brown hare between 1996 and 2023. However, other sources, such as the game bag records and A Review of the Population and Conservation Status of British Mammals (Mathews et al, 2018), consider the population to be stable.
Mountain hares, which became extinct in England around 6,000 years ago, were translocated from Scotland to the Peak District National Park in the 1870s. They are now showing a continuing decline in population and a recent study by Bedson et al (2025) has shown a decline of 58% over seven years from 3,562 hares to 1,038 hares (2017-2024), putting them at risk of another extinction in England.