Contributions
1,897 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDIranOn 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 2026HANSARDIranOn the IRGC, we welcome the moves that the EU has taken recently. As noble Lords will know because we have discussed it before, there has been a piece of work done by Jonathan…05 Feb 2026HANSARDIranIn that case, the noble Baroness could do a lot worse than read Jonathan Hall’s work, which explains this fully. We do need a legislative change. Clearly, this could have been…05 Feb 2026HANSARDChina: Jimmy LaiOur Prime Minister has been very clear on where he stands on the issue of Jimmy Lai. Sometimes, as the noble Lord says, it is appropriate to do things discreetly and quietly, but,…02 Feb 2026HANSARDChina: Jimmy LaiThe noble and learned Lord is right that the Chinese ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Office, which, in diplomatic terms, is a serious thing. I do not know the contents of…02 Feb 2026HANSARDChina: Human Rights and UK National SecurityMy Lords, human rights are a non-negotiable part of this Government’s approach to China. During his recent visit, the Prime Minister raised human rights and the case of Jimmy Lai…02 Feb 2026HANSARDChina: Human Rights and UK National SecurityObviously, national security is the principal concern in everything we do. The noble Lord mentioned trade, and I am pleased to be able to confirm that export deals of £2.2 billion…02 Feb 2026HANSARDChina: Jimmy LaiI thank my noble friend. I confirm that the Prime Minister has met Sebastien Lai. I will convey to him the desire for further such meetings to relay any information, or the…02 Feb 2026HANSARDChina: Jimmy LaiMy Lords, the UK condemns in the strongest terms the politically motivated prosecution of British national Jimmy Lai. Mr Lai has been targeted for peacefully exercising his right…02 Feb 2026HANSARDChina: Jimmy LaiWe agree that Jimmy Lai ought to be released immediately because he should not be imprisoned. It is right that the UK Government engage with China. After such a long time of the…02 Feb 2026HANSARDChina: Jimmy LaiI advise noble Lords that the Prime Minister will make a Statement in the other place later this afternoon, in which more detail may well be discussed. I am not in a position to…02 Feb 2026HANSARDChina: Human Rights and UK National SecurityIt is never long before we get to Chagos in these exchanges. We are confident that the deal that we have agreed with Mauritius is in the very best interests of the United Kingdom…02 Feb 2026HANSARDChina: Human Rights and UK National SecurityOf course, we keep a whole range of factors in mind. These are complex situations and negotiations, and we do not underestimate that. But it would be very wrong for us to deny…02 Feb 2026HANSARDChina: Human Rights and UK National SecurityThe short answer to that is no, we are not satisfied, and we have not been able to get the consular access that we would like and which Mr Lai needs. We are concerned about the…02 Feb 2026HANSARDChina: Human Rights and UK National SecurityThe noble Lord raises a fascinating question about the changing world order and geopolitics and geoeconomics. I think he makes a very strong point, as Mr Carney did when he…02 Feb 2026HANSARDChina: Human Rights and UK National SecurityI am in no doubt at all of the level of concern and interest that this House has in the issues that we are discussing. Sometimes, that means that sessions run out of time;…02 Feb 2026HANSARDChina: Jimmy LaiIt is for the Prime Minister to state, this afternoon, the detail of the conversations he had with President Xi. It is not for me to say that now, just an hour or so before the…02 Feb 2026HANSARDChina: Human Rights and UK National SecurityI am grateful to the noble Lord, and I admire hugely the consistency with which he raises these issues. He is absolutely right to say that, although there is clearly some progress…02 Feb 2026HANSARDChina: Human Rights and UK National SecurityI appreciate the way in which the noble and learned Lord put that question, although I assure him that I do not find this in any way awkward. It is important that I am here and…02 Feb 2026HANSARDChina: Human Rights and UK National SecurityI would encourage the noble Lord to consider the comments that I am sure my right honourable friend the Prime Minister is making at the other end of this building as to the…02 Feb 2026