Lord Macpherson of Earl’s Court (CB)

My Lords, I congratulate the committee on some first-rate analysis. An ageing population has been long foreseen and long debated. Very occasionally, Governments have taken action. I recall working on

My Lords, does the noble Lord the Financial Secretary agree that fiscal responsibility should lie at the heart of the devolutionary settlement? Does he agree that maintaining fiscal credibility would

My Lords, I share the Minister’s frustration and welcome the Government’s efforts to grip the issue. Does she agree that, whatever happens to the ownership of Thames Water, substantial investment will

My Lords, does the Financial Secretary agree that, rather than increasing revenues, an oil price of more than $100 a barrel is far more likely to reduce them because of the wider effect on the economy

My Lords, I encourage the Financial Secretary not to become mesmerised by IMF forecasts. The British economy has proved remarkably resilient over the past 18 years in the face of a succession of shock

My Lords, I declare my interest as chairman of the Scottish American Investment Company. I understand why the Government would want to take a reserve power, given the persistent failure of the City of