Contributions
1,897 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDGaza: Humanitarian SituationYes, we are, but let me first convey my sincere condolences to Amir, who lost his friend in such circumstances; I also hope that he recovers quickly and fully soon. The noble…30 Jan 2025HANSARDGaza: Humanitarian SituationI could not agree more. We are doing what we can. As my noble friend says, this is not something that you just fix. It is a trauma that can be felt through many years—indeed,…30 Jan 2025HANSARDEmbassy of China: Proposed New SiteAs many noble Lords who have experience of the planning process will understand, this is a quasi-judicial process. It is right that the Home Secretary and the Foreign Secretary…29 Jan 2025HANSARDEmbassy of China: Proposed New SiteMy Lords, national security is the first duty of government and it has been our core priority throughout this process. That is why the Foreign Secretary and the Home Secretary…29 Jan 2025HANSARDEmbassy of China: Proposed New SiteI am slightly surprised that the noble Lord takes that view. I know that he has a background in local government and in planning, but he also has a background in strongly…29 Jan 2025HANSARDEmbassy of China: Proposed New SiteIt is very important that any conditions that might be imposed are complied with. The noble Baroness is absolutely right to make that point.29 Jan 2025HANSARDEmbassy of China: Proposed New SiteThat is not correct. The Home Secretary and the Foreign Secretary wrote expressing their consideration of national security issues, which they would like to be taken into account…29 Jan 2025HANSARDEmbassy of China: Proposed New SiteNoble Lords might be interested to understand that the Government of China have seven different locations around London although, of course, they have only one embassy. In the…29 Jan 2025HANSARDEmbassy of China: Proposed New SiteIt is not for me to say how much real estate another Government might wish to have as their presence in London. As I just pointed out, at the moment they have seven locations…29 Jan 2025HANSARDEmbassy of China: Proposed New SiteI have so many jokes about size in my head at the moment— I am not going to go there. I note what my noble friend says. I do not think it is any surprise that China would want to…29 Jan 2025HANSARDEmbassy of China: Proposed New SiteThe noble and gallant Lord is right that I said we want to co-operate with China, but we will also challenge China where we need to. We disagree on several issues, not least the…29 Jan 2025HANSARDEmbassy of China: Proposed New SiteA calling-in is a normal part of the planning process, as many noble Lords will understand because they, like me, have served in local government. There is always an opportunity…29 Jan 2025HANSARDEmbassy of China: Proposed New SiteThis is a long-standing issue. I remember seeing the noble Lord, Lord Ahmad, do 10 minutes on this very topic, during which he said not very much at all. We know that it is an…29 Jan 2025HANSARDEmbassy of China: Proposed New SiteThat is a very good suggestion. I am happy to join the noble Lord and others in wishing everyone a happy Chinese New Year and Year of the Snake.29 Jan 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsThey are not just mischievous; they are opportunistic, wrong, misleading and undermine the confidence of the Falkland Islanders. Our commitment to the Falklands is non-negotiable,…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsNo. Like the previous Government, we think that this situation needed to be resolved in a way that gave security for the future. We have a deal that will last at least 99 years.…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsMy Lords, this deal protects UK and US national security interests by ensuring the long-term effective operations of the base. However, given the importance of the base to the US,…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsOf course we are aware that the ICJ ruling is advisory—we have discussed it many times in this House—but just because that ruling was advisory does not mean that there would not…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsIt is absolutely right that the noble Baroness raises the views of the Chagossian community, which has been badly treated over very many years. What matters now is that we are…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsThe noble and gallant Lord invites me to go further than my briefing allows. We do not comment on the payments made for military bases—we never have done and I do not think we…23 Jan 2025