Contributions
1,897 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDOfficial Development Assistance: Bilateral AllocationsI think that is a shrewd observation. I recently returned from DRC, and I understand completely the point my noble friend makes. There is very little trust among the community in…16 Jun 2026HANSARDOfficial Development Assistance: Bilateral AllocationsGiven that UNRWA is the only agency that can really deliver what is needed at scale in what has become an incredibly challenging and militarised context, it is important that we…16 Jun 2026HANSARDOfficial Development Assistance: Bilateral AllocationsNoble Lords do not need me to tell them just what a difficult context this is. Since the return of the Taliban, the prospects for women and girls have diminished greatly. We work…16 Jun 2026HANSARDOfficial Development Assistance: Bilateral AllocationsI think it is impossible to do development without prioritising women and girls, and almost everything we do benefits disproportionately—and quite rightly—women and girls. It is…16 Jun 2026HANSARDOfficial Development Assistance: Bilateral AllocationsI hear the noble Baroness’s suggestion and I disagree with it.16 Jun 2026HANSARDOfficial Development Assistance: Bilateral AllocationsWe have been doing this for quite a long time. I do not know specifically the programmes that the noble Lord is talking about, or the funds that he is talking about, but his…16 Jun 2026HANSARDRussia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026That the Grand Committee do consider the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026. Relevant document: 3rd Report from the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee…15 Jun 2026HANSARDRussia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026My Lords, these regulations amend the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. This instrument was laid on 19 May under powers in the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act…15 Jun 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Iran ConflictMy Lords, the UK welcomes the agreement between the United States and Iran and commends all involved in securing this diplomatic breakthrough. Our priority now is to support the…15 Jun 2026HANSARDRussia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026My Lords, I am grateful that we have come as close to a broad consensus as we ever normally achieve and I thank all noble Lords who have taken part for their constructive…15 Jun 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Iran ConflictThese are great questions, and they are the exact questions we have been asking ourselves in the department. This is a framework agreement that we have at the moment. I echo what…15 Jun 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Iran ConflictIt is the deal that we have today. It is a framework and it is a start. It is better than we had previously and it is enabling, for now, a ceasefire. The challenge, as I think is…15 Jun 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Iran ConflictWe have been very clear that we want to see the strait opening. We want this to be free of condition and open for all passage, and that is a position that is shared widely. The…15 Jun 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Iran ConflictI do not think anyone is talking about tolls or us patrolling in order to secure payment of tolls. I do not know where the noble Lord has got this from. That is not anything that…15 Jun 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Iran ConflictThat is really important. Even if the strait were to open immediately for goods to flow, there is already a scarring on many economies. We are particularly concerned about a…15 Jun 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Iran ConflictI am happy to assure my noble friend of that. Mr Sharif in Pakistan has done a good job and he deserves the commendation of all of us who wish to see the strait reopened.15 Jun 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Iran ConflictI am not aware that that is the case, so I am unable to confirm that. There is a great deal of speculation at the moment before the detail of this is worked through, and I would…15 Jun 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Iran ConflictI sincerely apologise to the noble Lord for the failure to respond to his letter. I will go back to the department and find out why it has not been replied to—that is most…15 Jun 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Iran ConflictI have heard that argument and, frankly, we do not know at this stage what the final agreement will look like. As I said in responding to a question earlier, it is a framework at…15 Jun 2026HANSARDMiddle East: Iran ConflictI encourage the noble Lord to attend the debate on an SI that we shall be discussing in about 20 minutes, where we will be dealing with the issue of products from Russia and…15 Jun 2026