Lord Bilston
Before his entry into the Lords, Dennis Turner represented Wolverhampton South for eighteen years as a Labour and Co-operative MP between 1987 and 2005. A former market trader, steel worker and union organiser, he also spent a long career in Wolverhampton’s local government, including seven years as Deputy Leader of the Council.
As an MP the self-professed highlight of his career was serving as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Clare Short at the Department for International Development.
Listed among: Members of the House of Lords
- Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2012 — Motion to Approve (6 Feb 2012)Lord Bilston: Would the Minister allow me to ask a question about costs? We are all well aware of the problems that the majority of people in this country are facing at this moment. How do the Government reconcile the spending of £2.5 million on these referendums, £85 million on the AV referendum and £25 million on the referendum for police commissioners? How can we square this vast amount...
- Written Answers — House of Lords: Bahrain (18 Jul 2011)Lord Bilston: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the announcement by the King of Bahrain that an independent commission will be formed, in conjunction with the United Nations, which will inquire into the unrest in Bahrain in February and March 2011 and make recommendations for restoring harmony and good governance to the kingdom.
- Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill: Report (5th Day) (14 Jul 2011)Lord Bilston: My Lords, it gives me great pleasure to move Amendment 305A, in my name and that of other noble friends in many parts of the House. The purpose of the amendment is to extend the limits on temporary event notices under Section 107(4) of the Licensing Act 2003 from 12 to 15 events per annum. I readily concede that, within a Bill as controversial and weighty as this police reform and social...
- Gibraltar — Question (14 Jun 2011)Lord Bilston: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Spain regarding the action of the Spanish navy corvette "Atalaya" in British Gibraltar territorial waters on 3 May.
- Written Answers — House of Lords: Education: ESOL (6 Apr 2011)Lord Bilston: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish the equality impact assessment of their proposed new approach to English for speakers of other languages. To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to consult groups including the Association of Colleges, College principals, the Refugee Council, the University and College Union, and the National Institute of Adult Continuing...
- Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill: Committee (12th Day) (24 Jan 2011)Lord Bilston: My Lords, I do not intend to detain the House for long but I am anxious to give my support to the amendment moved by my noble friend Lord Snape. When we began the second part of this Bill, many Members of this House gave the benefit of their knowledge and valuable experience on many geographical areas the length and breadth of the British Isles and on the many constituencies that they have...
- Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill: Committee (5th Day) (15 Dec 2010)Lord Bilston: My Lords, I, too, support my noble friend Lord Grocott's amendment. I hope that the noble Lord, Lord McNally, will accept it because, as has been pointed out, this is very much an issue for constituencies. I was privileged to represent my constituency for many years-for 14 elections. I lived and worked as the local representative for over 40 years. As an aside, let me say that not one person...
- Leeds City Council Bill — Second Reading (Continued) (19 Oct 2010)Lord Bilston: My Lords, I offer my grateful thanks to all noble Lords who have contributed to the Second Reading of these important private Bills. I also thank those noble Lords who kindly sat through my overlong speech of introduction. I find myself in the happy and contented position of being able to agree with the noble Lords, Lord Lucas, Lord Tope and Lord Graham, and both the government Minister and,...
- Leeds City Council Bill — Second Reading (19 Oct 2010)Lord Bilston: My Lords, these four private Bills were all deposited in Parliament together in November 2007. The reason why it has taken so long to get to where we are today is the high level of opposition that they attracted in the Commons. Together with two similar Bills promoted by Bournemouth and Manchester, well over 24 hours have been spent in debating these Bills on the Floor of the House of...
- Manufacturing: West Midlands Advisory Service — Question (9 Mar 2010)Lord Bilston: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much assistance the West Midlands Manufacturing Advisory Service has offered manufacturing businesses in that region; and what benefits have accrued to the businesses they support.
