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1,897 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDiego Garcia and British Indian Ocean TerritoryWe do need to make up our own minds and we have done so, but I do not think it is realistic to proceed in a way that does not involve the support of our allies in the United…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 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 TerritoryThe noble Baroness will forgive me for not wanting to disclose in this forum the very detailed nature of the conversations we are having with the United States, but it is not for…26 Feb 2026HANSARDImran Khan: ImprisonmentI am not able to answer that question today. That, obviously, would be a question that the Home Office would want to consider according to our immigration policy. But I just…25 Feb 2026HANSARDImran Khan: ImprisonmentI do not think it would be the right thing to do to end all aid to Pakistan. That is not the Government’s position, and that is my view. I say that because the need is there,…25 Feb 2026HANSARDImran Khan: ImprisonmentWe want those imprisoned, particularly when they are undergoing such intensive medical treatment, as I believe has happened—I think a successful operation took place in January,…25 Feb 2026HANSARDImran Khan: ImprisonmentWe have concerns, which I know the noble Lord shares, about the election in 2024 and we raise these with the Government of Pakistan. But one of the reasons why it is important to…25 Feb 2026HANSARDImran Khan: ImprisonmentIt is important—and we maintain this position for all those held in prison—that people get access to healthcare and to their families. We have made that case, because that is…25 Feb 2026HANSARDImran Khan: ImprisonmentWe have very real concerns about the inappropriate use of military courts and the lack of transparency in the way they operate. We discuss this, as the noble Lord would want us to…25 Feb 2026HANSARDImran Khan: ImprisonmentMy Lords, while Pakistan’s judicial processes are, of course, a matter for Pakistan, we are clear that the Pakistani authorities need to respect fundamental freedoms, including…25 Feb 2026HANSARDImran Khan: ImprisonmentI thank my noble friend for that question. Obviously, there is an important difference between the cases of Jimmy Lai and Imran Khan, because Jimmy Lai is British. We have…25 Feb 2026HANSARDAmbassadors: Vetting ProcessI will correct the noble Baroness; the Question today is specifically about vetting. I note that there is a sharp difference with the Prime Minister we have today, who takes…10 Feb 2026HANSARDAmbassadors: Vetting ProcessI honestly do not know who originally had the idea; I bet they wish they had not. I am afraid I cannot enlighten the noble Lord. As far as Morgan McSweeney goes, he has done great…10 Feb 2026HANSARDAmbassadors: Vetting ProcessMy Lords, ambassadorial appointments go through an extensive process, which includes national security vetting. This is a robust process to which thousands of civil servants are…10 Feb 2026HANSARDAmbassadors: Vetting ProcessI have no reason to believe that there are any other such issues— I think we can all accept that this was an exceptional situation—but that does not mean we should not review our…10 Feb 2026HANSARDAmbassadors: Vetting ProcessThe process ought to be rigorous in all cases. There are occasions when people are appointed from outside the service. I think the former head of mission in Cuba was a former…10 Feb 2026HANSARDAmbassadors: Vetting ProcessGovernment policy as regards the narrow issue that the noble Lord raised has not changed. That is not to say it cannot or will not ever change as a consequence of the…10 Feb 2026HANSARDAmbassadors: Vetting ProcessI think what I said—I hope it is what I said; if it is not, I will clarify it—was that it was an announcement. The changes announced yesterday by the Cabinet Office were around…10 Feb 2026HANSARDAmbassadors: Vetting ProcessMy understanding is that that is the case. I think the only difference here is around the timing of the vetting and the announcing; the actual vetting process was the same. There…10 Feb 2026