Contributions
589 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Fourth sitting)I thank the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford for tabling new clause 12, which seeks to ensure that service courts can impose protective orders on individuals who leave…14 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Fifth sitting)I will begin with clause 28. The minor service sentences of reduction in rank or disrating, of forfeiture of a specified term of seniority or all seniority, and of service…14 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Fifth sitting)These provisions address a gap in existing legislation, so I commend them to the Committee. Question put and agreed to. Clause 27 accordingly ordered to stand part of the Bill.…14 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Fifth sitting)Clause 21 provides judge advocates with the power to impose post-charge conditions on adult defendants in the court martial or service civilian court, where the defendant is not…14 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Fifth sitting)First, I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Truro and Falmouth. She generated this, and now it has come to fruition, so well done. The reality is that there is no Royal…14 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Fourth sitting)If there were criminal proceedings, he would be held to account in the service justice system for up to six months after the case. It is relatively simple. As we know, it is quite…14 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityI know that my hon. Friend is exceptionally passionate about this, as am I. I fully support our Royal Navy activity in the High North, and I also expect that as we move forward…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityYes, there is a physical threat from Russian submarines, Russian surface ships, bombers and the war in Ukraine, but there is actually a more subversive threat—one that is based on…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityA country without a navy has destroyed, or rendered irrelevant, one of the biggest fleets in the world, the Black sea fleet. The lessons that we can learn from the hybrid activity…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityI can confirm that the submarines were not within the 12 nautical miles of UK territorial waters, and the hon. Member will know that the rules of the sea have all sorts of rules…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityWe regularly make clear to our Russian counterparts what they are up to and what is happening, and ensure that the severity of their activities is explained to them. The idea that…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityWe have a multitude of indicators and warnings that highlight when threats come into our areas of interest. When they do, we make sure that we mobilise capability to meet and…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityThat is a fantastic question. The Nimrod capability was taken out of service many years ago. The P-8 programme is a huge success. Many other allies and partners use those same…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityIt is a delight to see a Member from the hon. Member’s party sat in the Chamber during a statement on a defence subject—it is a first. I remind him of the capability that we have…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityWe had already supported a US boarding of a sanctioned vessel and, of course, multiple other allies as well. Russian naval escorts do escort some of these vessels. When they do,…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityWe have taken some of the most extensive action on sanctions of any country, sanctioning thousands of individuals and enterprises, and we will continue to do so as long as that…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityAs is absolutely clear, the maritime interdiction of a Russian-flagged vessel such as the Yantar is very different from one where the vessel either does not have a flag or changes…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityWe need to accept that Ireland in itself is exceptionally close to the mainland and we therefore have shared security interests. The Prime Minister has had constructive…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityI am in no doubt, and am absolutely clear, that we have one of the best navies in the world. I have served in the Royal Navy for 24 years as a member of His Majesty’s Royal…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityI respect the hon. Member’s insight into this issue, especially given his constituency. Atlantic Bastion is moving forward fast; we are using some of the requirements and the…13 Apr 2026