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UK Parliament

Railways and Artificial Intelligence in Lords questions for government

7 September 2020

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The House of Lords checks and challenges government decisions and action at the start of business from Monday 7 September to Thursday 10 September.

Catch up: Monday 7 September

Lord Choudrey (Conservative) questions the government on ensuring small and medium-sized enterprises are awarded public procurement contacts.
Members discussed topics including procurement from BAME businesses, procurement contracts for SMEs in devolved regions, the Federation of Small Businesses and support for UK companies with EU public procurement contracts.

Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat) asks the government about the new or modified highway layouts on adjacent sites of ecological, cultural or scientific significance.
Members discussed subjects including safeguarding the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area, the environmental impact of roadbuilding, investing in zero-emission public transport and building nature corridors alongside new highways.

Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative) presses the government about a review into the Post Office Horizon scandal.
Members discussed topics including protecting the health and wellbeing of those affected by the scandal, financial support for those who took legal action and safeguarding whistleblowers in the Post Office. 

Lord Hayward (Conservative) quizzes the government about finalising a digital evidence policy for access to complainant and witness mobile phones, particularly in relation to cases of alleged rape and sexual assault.
Members discussed subjects including the legal foundations for taking rape complainants phones, coordination between the Home Office and Ministry of Justice to provide police training and improving the experience of the legal system for victims.

Catch up: Tuesday 8 September

Lord Blencathra (Conservative) asks the government about its steps to deliver the levelling up agenda in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members discussed topics including economic support for the north-west of England during COVID -19, delivering the social mobility programme and funds spent on education and training in the UK.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative) questions the government on how many new homes will be needed by 2025, and how quickly it will reach its target of 300,000 homes per year.
Members discussed topics including the proportion of new homes assigned to social housing, the effects of good architectural design on mental and physical health, and the importance of green spaces and gardens.

Lord Farmer (Conservative) quizzes the government on its action in response to the UCAS findings of a low entry rate for white students from state schools.
Members discussed topics including sharing free school meals data with universities, policies that target families and setting university entry targets for white students from lower socioeconomic groups.

Lord Harries of Pentregarth (Crossbench) questions government on suicide rates in the UK.
Members discussed topics including online bullying, suicides among veteran members of the Armed Forces, the effects of lockdown on mental health and support for young people who self-harm.

Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) will ask a Private Notice Question (an urgent question) on a future trade agreement between the UK and EU.Members discussed topics including government plans to change the Brexit withdrawal agreement, reassurance from the government for EU citizens resident in the UK and UK citizens in the EU, Sir Jonathan Jones’s resignation and the prospects of a US trade deal.

Catch up: Wednesday 9 September

The Lord Bishop of Oxford (Bishop) questioned the government about the benefits and risks of AI in recovering from COVID-19.
Members discussed topics including the establishment of the Global Partnership on AI, trust in government use of AI, access to data sources for researchers and balancing innovation with ethics.

Lord Polak (Conservative) asked the government about the steps taken by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs to support veterans.
Members discussed topics including the delivery of services for veterans in Northern Ireland, funding for the Armed Forces charity sector and improving data collection to help prevent veteran suicides.

Lord Bradshaw (Liberal Democrat) quizzed the government about the future of Britain's railways. 
Members discussed topics including alterations in railway fares, introducing measures to alleviate the impact of climate change and private sector involvement in railways. 

Baroness Kramer (Liberal Democract) asked government about their plans to suppotort the repair of Hammersmith Bridge.
Members discussed topics including the timetable for works to begin, implementing a temporary solution, building a walk and cycle bridge and funding from central government to support the repairs.

Baroness Thornton (Labour) asked a Private Notice Question (an urgent question) about the government's assesment of the rise in cases of COVID-19.
Members discussed topics including children returning to school after holidaying in countries where the virus is increasing, the testing regime for residents, staff and visitors in care homes, and the ability for the NHS to cope with a rise in COVID-19 cases during winter.

Catch up: Thursday 10 September

 

Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative) questioned the government about the continuity of military operations and support during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat) asked the government about its plans to review gambling legislation.

Baroness Kennedy of Cradley (Non-affiliated) pressed the government about support for the music industry, particularly the self-employed and sole traders.

Baroness Hayman (Crossbench) questioned government on encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton (Labour) asked a Private Notice Question (an urgent question) on the Internal Market Bill and the Northern Ireland Protocol.

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