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HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillWhat do we mean by existential? We could still have a Diego Garcia—there could be something there. However, it would be existential because, if the operability is compromised, the…18 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillI never said that we did; that was between Mauritius and the Maldives. My point is to make the case to noble Lords that the advisory opinions—advisory though they are—stand to…18 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillI am speaking for myself; other noble Lords may take different views on that point. Mauritius could also pursue a legally binding judgment through further arbitral proceedings…18 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillMy point is that we will be doing so with the consent of the other party to the treaty.18 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillI am getting on to that. Noble Lords are very impatient this afternoon. We are in Committee—we have time, and I am in no hurry. I am prepared to stay here as long as we need to…18 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillAt the risk of jumping further down the rabbit hole with the noble Lord, my point was simply that to contend now that there was never any possibility of any legal jeopardy, as…18 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillForgive me, but I did not say that I did not know; I was just about to answer that specific question. I was making a point about the inconsistency and—frankly—ludicrousness of the…18 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillMy Lords, this has been an interesting debate—slightly wide ranging, but that often happens with the first group in Committee. I am sure we will return to some of the issues…18 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillI am very much going to regret getting involved in this, but I think it is helpful to understand what this House has and has not done. Both Houses of Parliament have voted that…18 Nov 2025HANSARDBritish CouncilI think we need a bit of reality here. The idea that the Treasury is going to accept art in lieu of a loan is a little fanciful. It is up to the British Council to decide what it…11 Nov 2025HANSARDBritish CouncilOne of the reasons that we have worked hard to protect the British Council’s funding and are committed to the £160 million is because of the amazing work that it does supporting…11 Nov 2025HANSARDBritish CouncilWe are helping a lot. We provide about 16% or 17% of the British Council’s funding each year. There is an issue with an outstanding loan which was given as part of a Covid package…11 Nov 2025HANSARDBritish CouncilI completely agree about the role of the BBC in soft power, particularly the World Service and BBC Verify, which do a tremendous job. I would go so far as to say that they are…11 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillThat the Bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole House.11 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillMy Lords, we had a vigorous debate on the Bill at Second Reading last week, and I thank each and every noble Lord who participated in that debate. I understand and respect the…11 Nov 2025HANSARDConflict in SudanWe talk to competent courts about this, but the thing we are doing at the moment is ensuring that that evidence is there. Unless we do that, accounts become less admissible and…11 Nov 2025HANSARDConflict in SudanMy noble friend is right. Some of the accounts that we have heard are completely harrowing. I will never forget being told some of these stories, sitting in a tent in Adré and…11 Nov 2025HANSARDBritish CouncilAs the noble Lord says, the British Council is part of the Soft Power Council, which is a joint initiative between the FCDO and DCMS. It brings together the arts, heritage, Kew…11 Nov 2025HANSARDConflict in SudanAbsolutely, and I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the work that the noble Lord, Lord Collins, did on Sudan for many years: certainly, during his role as…11 Nov 2025HANSARDConflict in SudanOf course I am concerned. I think the reasons why the Prime Minister insisted that we protect our aid to Sudan speak for themselves, and we will be making sure that Sudan receives…11 Nov 2025