I spoke in the House of Lords debate on Syria and the Middle East on 1st July at cols 107 – 109 of Hansard. What I heard and said then convinced me that we need détente just as much now as during the worst times of the 20th century Cold War. An obvious example is between…
I sit on the excitingly named “European Sub Committee B” which scrutinises European legislation to do with infrastructure. Currently we are looking at the “4th Railway Package” which is essentially about freeing up railway infrastructure so that it is easier for people to travel by train across Europe and easier for train companies of different…
This week I went to a joint meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and the Parliamentary All-Party Group on Illegal Drugs. It was attended by several central and South American ambassadors, together with MPs, peers, and other well-informed people. The meeting heard reports from the Pan American Conference to discuss drug-related issues. This was held in…
Sometimes a peer has to add a territorial title to their name if there is already a peer using the same surname. When I received my peerage, there was already a Lord Norton, a hereditary peer. As I wanted to retain my surname, I had to add a territorial title. There is thus a difference between…
The Committee Stage on 17th and 19th June was well attended and clearly argued, although the media coverage was less than for Second Reading. My contributions were at cols 11 and 12 of 17th June, and at cols 265 – 266 of 19th June. The Report Stage will be held on 8th and 10th July.
The purpose of the G8 as constituted in 1975 was a forum for the great economic powers of the world to discuss matters of global economics, trade and finance. Thirty eight years on those around the table are no longer the ones who can determine those issues. Canada is represented with a population of 35…
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On March 26th 2013, at column 959, I had asked about Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and on 11th June the Ministry of Defence replied by letter. The Minister stated that armed remotely piloted aircraft fall within the category of combat aircraft. They are therefore covered by the recently agreed Arms Trade Treaty. This will only come…
I have come to New York for a few days to deliver a paper on family law at an academic conference. There is a wider spread of opinion about family issues than is common at conferences at home. I have not visited for a number of years, and so quite a few things about the…
