Contributions
1,897 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSyria: Druze CommunityI welcomed the noble Lord’s concerns at the time; he was right to raise them. We were at the forefront of lifting sanctions at that point. I still think that was the right…17 Jul 2025HANSARDSyria: Druze CommunityI am very happy to confirm that. These actions are destabilising and present great risk to the fragile, emerging peace that we hope can hold. There is a ceasefire from 3 am this…17 Jul 2025HANSARDSyria: Druze CommunityMy Lords, the Government are deeply concerned by the recent violence in southern Syria and welcome the announcement yesterday of a ceasefire. We want to see civilians protected…17 Jul 2025HANSARDSyria: Druze CommunityIt is completely wrong in any context for somebody to be harmed or persecuted purely on the basis of what they happen to believe. When the Foreign Secretary was in Damascus…17 Jul 2025HANSARDDiplomatic Missions: Unpaid ChargesI detect some co-ordination across the House this afternoon. We consider these to be debts, and we would like them to be paid. Like TfL and the Mayor of London, we continue to use…16 Jul 2025HANSARDDiplomatic Missions: Unpaid ChargesThere are a whole range of measures that we can consider, and I certainly take on board the one that the noble Lord has mentioned. Others include encouraging the use of public…16 Jul 2025HANSARDDiplomatic Missions: Unpaid ChargesMy noble friend is right, and it is the Government’s position, consistent with that of the previous Government, that these are charges, not taxes, and should be paid.16 Jul 2025HANSARDDiplomatic Missions: Unpaid ChargesMy Lords, I am always grateful to my noble friend for his wit and the charm with which he brings his points to this Chamber. I will leave the finer points of the arrangements for…16 Jul 2025HANSARDDiplomatic Missions: Unpaid ChargesWe keep these things under close consideration but, as the noble Lord, Lord Ahmad, said when he addressed this issue during the very last Question of the last Parliament—his last…16 Jul 2025HANSARDDiplomatic Missions: Unpaid ChargesAll I would say is that diplomacy is an art, and it comes more naturally to some than to others, perhaps. We keep this under consideration, but I think it is right that we do not…16 Jul 2025HANSARDDiplomatic Missions: Unpaid ChargesMy Lords, of 31 responses received, some agreed to settle debts, others disputed charges and some refused to pay the London congestion charge, claiming exemption under the Vienna…16 Jul 2025HANSARDDiplomatic Missions: Unpaid ChargesI am happy to confirm that. As the right reverend Prelate would expect, our diplomatic staff, wherever they are stationed around the world, act to the highest of standards.16 Jul 2025HANSARDDiplomatic Missions: Unpaid ChargesAs I have said, there are a range of options available. It has been suggested that we impound diplomatic vehicles—seize them and prevent them being used—and other such measures…16 Jul 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyI just said that there is no binding ruling but we anticipate that there would be one, which is presumably why the previous Government were negotiating. The decision we have taken…03 Jul 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyI mean, there is plenty. They were removed more than 50 years ago, and we can discuss the wrong of that. It was done, as Members will no doubt observe, under a Labour Government.…03 Jul 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyWe had to make a choice here. We could have prioritised the rights of the Chagossian community and enabled them to have the right to return and settle on Diego Garcia. That would…03 Jul 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyWhat is useful in the noble Baroness’s contribution is that she draws attention to the fact that, under this treaty, Chagossians will be able to visit the outer islands and…03 Jul 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyThe Statement will be provided in due course. You will not find anybody in this House who gives less regard to what Jeremy Corbyn thinks than I do, although there is clearly some…03 Jul 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean Territory: SovereigntyI see that we are back to the charming noble Lord, Lord Callanan, whom we used to know and love. The cost of this will be around £100 million a year. That is about the cost of…03 Jul 2025HANSARDIndia: MinoritiesI do not think that there is anybody in this House who would not agree that we should—and do—believe in the equal treatment of all people of all faiths and beliefs. This is…02 Jul 2025