Contributions
1,897 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChagos 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 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsAs I know the noble Lord understands, this is an agreement between the UK Government and the Government of Mauritius, but practically, given that the base on Diego Garcia is a…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsI am responding to the points raised by the noble Lord. There were 11 rounds, and it was very clear in the Statement made to this House and in the other place by the then Foreign…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsI think noble Lords will be pleased to know that I have not had time to read the foreword to that Policy Exchange document. It is our view, which we maintain, that we needed to…23 Jan 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsI hope not. I do not see it as political bickering, actually; it is a legitimate debate. These are important decisions and I am very happy to be held to account for the decisions…23 Jan 2025HANSARDUK-Ukraine 100-year PartnershipFirst, I acknowledge that the noble Lord and Caroline have done so much to support a family from Ukraine. Although many families are doing this, it is still an exceptional act of…22 Jan 2025HANSARDUK-Ukraine 100-year PartnershipMy Lords, I am incredibly grateful for the words of the noble Lords, Lord Callanan and Lord Purvis of Tweed. As they both said, it is so important that we commit ourselves to…22 Jan 2025HANSARDUK-Ukraine 100-year PartnershipFirst, I think the lack of attendance this evening is probably something to do with a couple of late nights of voting. It is not lack of support at all; it is a lack of…22 Jan 2025HANSARDUK-Ukraine 100-year PartnershipI thank the noble Baroness for reminding us of the wider context—it is very important—as well as reminding us of the not-too-distant history of this conflict. I can assure her…22 Jan 2025HANSARDUK-Ukraine 100-year PartnershipI thank the noble Lord, Lord Lancaster, for his steadfast support and championing of the need to have sufficient resources for the MoD; I have seen him do this on many occasions.…22 Jan 2025HANSARDColombia: Bilateral Investment TreatyMy Lords, as of today His Majesty’s Government have not been formally approached by the Government of Colombia about this, but we are of course always open to hearing the views of…20 Jan 2025HANSARDColombia: Bilateral Investment TreatyColombia is an astonishing country, not least because of its biodiversity. It would not be right to try to leverage our role as penholder for the peace process at the Security…20 Jan 2025HANSARDColombia: Bilateral Investment TreatyThe United Kingdom is absolutely committed to supporting Colombia in the peace process, and enormous progress has been made. We see these things as separate. I think Colombia has…20 Jan 2025HANSARDColombia: Bilateral Investment TreatyI am grateful to the noble Lord. I appreciate, as he invited me to, that these agreements stand over a very long period of time. Between an agreement being put in place and 10…20 Jan 2025HANSARDColombia: Bilateral Investment TreatyThe noble Lord opposite is rather rushing his fences. Of course we would look at these things, should there be a formal request for a review or any change from the Government of…20 Jan 2025HANSARDColombia: Bilateral Investment TreatyI think so—but there is a difference between being consistent and having a cut-and-paste approach. Every context is unique and Colombia is a particularly special partner for us,…20 Jan 2025HANSARDColombia: Bilateral Investment TreatyMy Lords, the Government value the UK/Colombia bilateral investment treaty in the investment relationship between our countries. The treaty covered £6.8 billion of bilateral…20 Jan 2025HANSARDColombia: Bilateral Investment TreatyI certainly would not describe our relationship with Colombia in any way as being to do with colonialism, and Colombia would not, either. We have a respectful, equal relationship…20 Jan 2025HANSARDColombia: Bilateral Investment TreatyI recognise what my noble friend said. I have met with many civil society organisations, including Justice For Colombia, very recently. It is important that these agreements…20 Jan 2025HANSARDGaza: Healthcare System SupportMy Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for securing this debate and to noble Lords who have contributed. I know this House will join me in welcoming the news overnight of…16 Jan 2025