The Permanent Secretary is the officer of account answering before the PAC and can (should?) insist on a Ministerial Direction in cases of doubtful expenditure (see Pergau Dam case...)

Act of Attainder?

Given the choice I would prefer flying on a carpet...

The Permanent Secretary is the officer of account answering before the PAC and can (should?) insist on a Ministerial Direction in cases of doubtful expenditure (see Pergau Dam case...)

Eg in terms of protections to dual nationals in the country of another of their nationalities where expectations approach that which used to exist in the Near East as "capitulations"

As someone who has been "expatriated" from a birth nationality I've thought about this quite a lot. What nationality means in terms of rights and obligations has got quite confused over the years

Fundamental point is that it's a lot more complicated than "old Commonwealth are OK" (not least as they aren't OK with the UK) - not to mention the Irish angle as you pointed out.

Also about membership of Parliament (House of Lords) and my understanding is that under the Nickle Resolution it wasn't a question of not asking but that he should have said no.

No - but it illustrates a key issue about nationality being "claimed" and "granted".

Conrad Black's experience with Canada is also instrucive

If you are born eligible to be British you are assumed to be so. There is no need to formally "claim". The MPs were caught out by never formally revoking a nationality that they had in some cases not realized they had.

Not in Australia: Section 44(i) of the Constitution, a rule highlighted by the 2017-18 eligibility crisis where several MPs were removed for holding foreign citizenship, even unknowingly.

It was only when he applied for one that the significance of being born in (British) India of an Irish father meant he did not qualify by birth - and he didn't see why he should have to apply for naturalisation

It was never formally "revoked" but pre WWII people didn't look too closely at the paperwork and military service and didn't require a passport. ...

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Lunar Society of Birmingham - Wikipedia

Lunar Society of Birmingham en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_S...

Why people love neurotic robots Our preference to engage with robots that take on human characteristics threatens genuine social interaction

Why people love neurotic robots ft.trib.al/yFPkA88 | opinion

'When Kissinger won the Nobel peace prize, satire died' Todd S Purdom on why songwriter Tom Lehrer has remained silent for 33 years

www.theguardian.com/culture/2000...

Not that Miss Piggy appreciates it ...https://youtu.be/L4D5ewjshZo?si=UKP-nKpo8Olosjqd

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_R...

Millions of Iranians Get Ready to Celebrate Yalda, Longest Night of Year - KAYHAN LIFE

kayhanlife.com/authors/naza...

@rory-stewart.bsky.social as an example of where a proper training in #carpentry can get you

Die Lösung - Wikipedia

"Would it not in that case
Be simpler for the government
To dissolve the people
And elect another?" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_L%C...

The endless importance of good manners in the office Rude colleagues hurt themselves as much as those condemned to work with them

The endless importance of good manners in the office on.ft.com/3MsndvC | opinion

Did the earth move for you?

Happened to be watching Gosford Park at the moment

Gosford Park?

As I understand it, she did this deliberately in order to show how (apparently) male authors are better treated by publishers and critics.

I think he meant "income tax rates"?

11.11 = "Armistice Day" in Europa = St Martin in Deutschland
9.11 2025 …= Remembrance Sunday (UK)