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1,897 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDIran and the Middle EastHe always tries to be helpful. Obviously, noble Lords would not expect me to comment in any detail on exactly what is being used, but we have F35s and Typhoons, which are being…09 Mar 2026HANSARDIran and the Middle EastThat is absolutely not the language that we are using. The actions that we are taking are defensive, as I have explained, and it is vital that we all take extreme care with the…09 Mar 2026HANSARDIran and the Middle EastThere are vast books written about international law that the noble Lord may wish to consult. But, clearly, after Iran strikes civilian sites—hotels in Dubai where British…09 Mar 2026HANSARDIran and the Middle EastI am sorry, but my noble friend the Minister for Defence was saying something while the noble Lord was speaking. I think he was trying to be helpful.09 Mar 2026HANSARDIran and the Middle EastThe noble Lord is right in that all these conflicts are interconnected in many subtle ways that often are not immediately obvious to those seeking to make political points in this…09 Mar 2026HANSARDIran and the Middle EastAny threats to BBC Persian service staff in London or anywhere else—but certainly any threats in this country—are completely unacceptable, and our security services and the police…09 Mar 2026HANSARDIran and the Middle EastExperience tells us that, at some point, this becomes an issue of dialogue and negotiation. Who is involved, the nature of it, how it is staged and where it takes place are, as of…09 Mar 2026HANSARDIran and the Middle EastWe want to see a swift conclusion to this conflict; that is in the interests of our Gulf partners, and they are very clear what they would like to see. We are involved in a…09 Mar 2026HANSARDIran and the Middle EastOf course, we are talking to our partners in the United States about this and very many other issues. We have all heard these reports and, of course, when situations such as this…09 Mar 2026HANSARDIran and the Middle EastI take that as a fair challenge. I am very well aware of the noble Lord’s views on this topic, and we have discussed them on many occasions—but the point that still stands as…09 Mar 2026HANSARDIran and the Middle EastI am an archaeology graduate and I completely understand why the noble Earl asks that question. He is right to draw our attention to this. It is tragic that, alongside women and…09 Mar 2026HANSARDIran and the Middle EastI think we all remember the experience from 2003 and the decisions made around Iraq. Somebody who fought in Iraq—a Member of Parliament, Calvin Bailey, who was a wing commander in…09 Mar 2026HANSARDIran and the Middle EastI just do not accept that that is the case. We are just over a week into this conflict. Decisions were made rapidly at the outset. The initial request was declined—as is well…09 Mar 2026HANSARDIran and the Middle EastI shall speak to my colleagues at the Home Office about the march. Obviously, how that is policed and what is done about it is rightly a matter for the relevant authorities. On…09 Mar 2026HANSARDIran and the Middle EastThe noble Lord is right, and I am particularly worried about Lebanon and what is happening there. Yes, we are mindful of the impact that this can have on the movement of…09 Mar 2026HANSARDIran and the Middle EastMy Lords, we condemn Iran’s strikes on its neighbours. They are unacceptable and threaten regional stability. Keeping people safe and defending national security is the…09 Mar 2026HANSARDDiego Garcia and British Indian Ocean TerritoryIt is very important that we lay out clearly the costings and the value for money points are answered. I am happy that the Government have committed to doing that and will…26 Feb 2026HANSARDDiego Garcia and British Indian Ocean TerritoryI respect the noble Baroness’s steadfast support for the Chagossian community, but as she will know, there is not one single view among the Chagossian community or Chagossian…26 Feb 2026HANSARDDiego Garcia and British Indian Ocean TerritoryIt is very important that we have an agreement with the United States about the continued use of this base, because it matters so much to our security, and the United States feels…26 Feb 2026HANSARDDiego Garcia and British Indian Ocean TerritoryMy Lords, the people who have found their way to some of the outer islands should not be there. It is not safe for them and they do not have permission. It is not legal for…26 Feb 2026