Contributions
589 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityI thank the hon. Member for a really focused question. Part of this problem set is about looking at early warning when systems appear, either in our waters or close to our waters,…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 ActivityI recognise the right hon. Member’s experience in this space. I would say that eight Type 26 towed array frigates is the right level. I would like to see our ability to cover the…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityI thank my hon. Friend for his really focused question. We have been watching the underwater research programme for years now. We understand exactly what they are up to and why…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 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 ActivityWith permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish to make a statement on north Atlantic activity. Let me begin by thanking the many members of our armed forces who are currently…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityWe have a multitude of allies and partners. The US has been a partner for the last 20 years and will continue to be so for some time to come. We share a plethora of different…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityWe can agree that no sabotage took place this time from the Russian sub-surface activity off the coast of the UK. We have backed our words with action when it comes to deterring…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 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 ActivityDepending on the situation, we could put frigates to sea at any point in time. That comes down to the balance of risk around health and safety and operational readiness, depending…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityWe have seen billions of pounds-worth of cyber-attacks in the UK and a 30% increase in Russian surface and subsurface capability in the High North. We have seen tactics and…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityI completely agree, and the key phrase is “never lose sight”. There have been more than a million casualties—Russia has taken more casualties than America took in the entire…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityThe reality is that Russia failed on this occasion, and it failed because we exposed its activity, which meant that there was no way, shape or form that it could deny its activity…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityI have a lot of experience, as does the shadow Minister, in boarding ships. The MOD is absolutely ready to go, but we must ensure that those ships meet certain criteria; as soon…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityWe have a job to ensure that we communicate with and educate the population on the whole variety of threats, whether it is the threat posed by Russia in Ukraine or the threat…13 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityAs my hon. Friend will know, we have the carrier group deploying up there. That will be a NATO exercise with a multitude of different assets attached, running through all sorts of…13 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Third sitting)I completely accept that. There are just nuances and differences in the requirements, and that will be reflected in the outcomes of both reviews. Again, I offer that engagement—if…26 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Third sitting)The right hon. Member still has a lot of energy in him.26 Mar 2026