Contributions
1,619 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWagner GroupMy noble friend makes a very important point. He will be aware that through the United Nations and our other relationships and partnerships, whether multilaterally or bilaterally,…11 Jul 2023HANSARDWagner GroupAs the noble Baroness will be aware, it is not government policy to comment on whether a group is under consideration for proscription, and, indeed, it is a Home Office…11 Jul 2023HANSARDWagner GroupWe are aware that Wagner has historically drawn its funding from three main sources: direct payments from the Russian Government, as President Putin has publicly admitted since…11 Jul 2023HANSARDNuclear Submarines: AUKUSI hope I can reassure the noble and gallant Lord that the Cabinet Secretary has asked the MoD’s Permanent Secretary, David Williams, to be the UK’s AUKUS principal. That is a very…03 Jul 2023HANSARDNuclear Submarines: AUKUSMy Lords, the UK is stepping up to meet the opportunities of the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement, a multidecade undertaking that will create thousands of jobs. We are investing…03 Jul 2023HANSARDNuclear Submarines: AUKUSI can share with the noble Lord that additional apprenticeship and graduate bursary schemes have been implemented across the enterprise, and significant further increases are…03 Jul 2023HANSARDNuclear Submarines: AUKUSOn the first point, it has always been acknowledged that, although AUKUS is intended to do two things—to augment our Indo-Pacific tilt and to provide us with our new class of…03 Jul 2023HANSARDNuclear Submarines: AUKUSWhat I can confirm to the noble Lord is what is already in the public domain. We have always said that, as progress is made with the three countries on pillar 2—which is distinct…03 Jul 2023HANSARDNuclear Submarines: AUKUSI can simply clarify to the Chamber that the AUKUS programme’s SSN-AUKUS submarines are nuclear-propelled, not nuclear-armed.03 Jul 2023HANSARDNuclear Submarines: AUKUSI thank the noble Lord for the role he is playing and wish him well in his advisory capacity to Rolls-Royce. This is a very important project. It is probably one of the most…03 Jul 2023HANSARDNuclear Submarines: AUKUSI respond to the noble Lord by reminding the Chamber that, in March this year, the Prime Minister announced that we are investing an extra £3 billion over the next two years in…03 Jul 2023HANSARDNuclear Submarines: AUKUSIt give me great pleasure to agree with the noble Lord—it is refreshing and, I hope, a recurring experience. The noble Lord makes a very good point. As he is aware, we currently…03 Jul 2023HANSARDDefence Policy (International Relations and Defence Committee Report)I do not have an answer to the specific question about the number of defence attachés we have there, but I will make the inquiry and undertake to write to the noble Lord.30 Jun 2023HANSARDDefence Policy (International Relations and Defence Committee Report)My Lords, it is always a pleasure to speak in the House when we debate such a thorough, well-informed report as this one from the International Relations and Defence Committee. It…30 Jun 2023HANSARDDefence Policy (International Relations and Defence Committee Report)Yes, and I cannot add to the position I articulated. I have no further position to share with the House. The noble Lord, Lord Stevens, raised some interesting points about…30 Jun 2023HANSARDDefence Policy (International Relations and Defence Committee Report)Strictly, this is not a matter for the MoD, as the noble Lord will be aware; it is, essentially, a matter for the Cabinet Office. These matters are not discussed; that is for…30 Jun 2023HANSARDDefence: Support Ships and Type 32 FrigatesI thank the right reverend Prelate for making a number of extremely important points. The whole essence of the national shipbuilding strategy was to ensure that we got…20 Jun 2023HANSARDDefence: Support Ships and Type 32 FrigatesI have no information on my noble friend’s latter point. I can seek specific information about the crew numbers to which he refers and will write to him.20 Jun 2023HANSARDDefence: Support Ships and Type 32 FrigatesThe Type 32 is conceived as an agile, resilient and capable ship. However, I point out to the noble Lord that we have already, for example, upgraded Type 45s with the Sea Viper…20 Jun 2023HANSARDDefence: Support Ships and Type 32 FrigatesThat is a matter for the palace. However, I am sure that if His Majesty were to review the fleet, it would be very positively received.20 Jun 2023