Contributions
1,897 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAmbassadors: 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 ProcessWhat I do agree with the noble Baroness about—I commend her on doing this—is focusing her question on those women and girls who were victims of a heinous paedophile. That is the…10 Feb 2026HANSARDJimmy Lai: Prison SentenceI understand the way the CCP might see planning decisions in this country, but we operate under a legal framework and have to stick to the law. We cannot make exceptions just…09 Feb 2026HANSARDJimmy Lai: Prison SentenceI think that is right. My noble friend has a great deal of experience. I think he was a Minister at the department previously and at the MoD as well. He knows what he is talking…09 Feb 2026HANSARDJimmy Lai: Prison SentenceOur position is that Jimmy Lai should be released, and I would not want to make any comments on an issue as sensitive as that without knowing his family’s position. I understand…09 Feb 2026HANSARDJimmy Lai: Prison SentenceThat is an excellent suggestion. We are committed to the coalition, and I will take that back to the department. I thank the noble Lord for his continued constructive engagement…09 Feb 2026HANSARDJimmy Lai: Prison SentenceIt is outrageous that Jimmy Lai has not had contact from his family—that is inhumane. We continue to argue that he should have that contact and consular assistance. The Foreign…09 Feb 2026HANSARDJimmy Lai: Prison SentenceHow we use our trade relationship to exert this kind of pressure needs really careful consideration. It would be very easy to take measures that harm us but have no impact at all.…09 Feb 2026HANSARDJimmy Lai: Prison SentenceHe should be released and we should not have to take the steps that the noble Baroness suggests. On those sorts of issues we need to take a judgment based on our best…09 Feb 2026HANSARDJimmy Lai: Prison SentenceWe have recently introduced many measures around higher education that would be relevant to that which the noble Lord outlined to us. I do not know whether we need to activate…09 Feb 2026HANSARDJimmy Lai: Prison SentenceI have good news for the noble and learned Lord. Since he asked that question—and he is right that I did not answer him at the time, because I was not at that meeting—a read-out…09 Feb 2026HANSARDJimmy Lai: Prison SentenceThat is not how it works: I wish that we could secure everything that we want, and give nothing that anybody else wants, ahead of any diplomatic engagement. For many years there…09 Feb 2026HANSARDJimmy Lai: Prison SentenceI explained just now about the BNO passport holders—if the noble Lord knew anything about this at all, he would understand that that will be absolutely opposed by China—so we have…09 Feb 2026HANSARDJimmy Lai: Prison SentenceYes, Jimmy Lai should have consular visits. He should have access to the ability to practise his religious beliefs; he should also have medical access and access to his family.…09 Feb 2026HANSARDJimmy Lai: Prison SentenceMy Lords, the UK condemns the prosecution of British citizen Jimmy Lai. As the Foreign Secretary said, 20 years is tantamount to a life sentence for a 78 year-old man. The Prime…09 Feb 2026HANSARDJimmy Lai: Prison SentenceAs far as I understand it, they are still serving and there is a clear view taken by this House and others about that decision to continue to serve. The Government have not put…09 Feb 2026HANSARDJimmy Lai: Prison SentenceYes. I thank my noble friend for putting it in that way, and I agree with her. The UK will continue to stand up for the people of Hong Kong. That is why the Home Secretary today…09 Feb 2026HANSARDIranOn the opening point about our lack of ability to understand just how many people have been killed so far, estimates range from 3,000 to many times that, and I think that, as…05 Feb 2026HANSARDIranIt is. I thank the noble Lord for his comments about our support for the protesters. It is essential, when we have these discussions, that we are completely grounded in the…05 Feb 2026HANSARDIranI appreciate the frustration that my noble friend feels and I would never seek to make him feel that way—I have known him for a long time and I know how he can get. All I can do…05 Feb 2026