Contributions
1,619 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDefence: Support Ships and Type 32 FrigatesI do not impugn the noble Lord’s right to hold the Government to account but I would not wish his persistent interrogation and commentary to imply that our Royal Navy is in some…20 Jun 2023HANSARDDefence: Support Ships and Type 32 FrigatesI thank the noble and gallant Lord. He makes the point more eloquently and with greater authority than I can. I do not seek to pre-empt the defence Command Paper refresh, which is…20 Jun 2023HANSARDDefence: Support Ships and Type 32 FrigatesI have already indicated to the House that this ship is in the concept phase; there is no more that I can add to that. The programme and procurement strategy will be decided…20 Jun 2023HANSARDDefence: Support Ships and Type 32 FrigatesIf the noble Lord had listened to my preface in response to the noble Lord, Lord West, he would have heard me say that I do not impugn the right of the noble Lord, Lord West, to…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 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 2023HANSARDUkraine: Ministry of Defence StrategyYes, and I think there will be almost unanimity in response to the noble Baroness’s point. The challenge is finding a mechanism through which to disseminate that information. As…15 Jun 2023HANSARDUkraine: Ministry of Defence StrategyI think the House will concur with the principle of the noble and gallant Lord’s proposition. I can tell him that through diplomatic channels and, where we can, through MoD…15 Jun 2023HANSARDUkraine: Ministry of Defence StrategyI express complete agreement with the last point made by my noble friend. Yes, I agree with his proposition. We welcome China’s engagement with President Zelensky. We expect…15 Jun 2023HANSARDUkraine: Ministry of Defence StrategyI commend the noble Lord on his change of position; many people will identify and sympathise with his stance. If I may seek to reassure him, it has been the UK Government’s very…15 Jun 2023HANSARDUkraine: Ministry of Defence StrategyAs a matter of general United Kingdom Government business, we regularly look at the sanctions regime and engage with countries where we are concerned about continuing…15 Jun 2023HANSARDUkraine: Ministry of Defence StrategyI commend the noble Lord on his sentiments; I agree with every word he uttered.15 Jun 2023HANSARDUkraine: Ministry of Defence StrategyPeace could certainly be achieved if Russia withdrew from this barbaric, illegal war now. Unfortunately, far from accepting that, Russia continues on a path of violence, brutalism…15 Jun 2023HANSARDUkraine: Ministry of Defence StrategyYes, I can provide my noble friend and the Chamber with some further information. This is a substantial package from JEF member states of £92 million. It will be procured through…15 Jun 2023HANSARDUkraine: Ministry of Defence StrategyMy Lords, the UK Government are dedicated to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal invasion. A key element of our response is being agile in our support as the…15 Jun 2023HANSARDUkraine: Ministry of Defence StrategyAs the noble Lord will be aware, the UK is supportive of Ukraine’s accession to NATO. We think that is a very important step forward in relation to Euro-Atlantic security. As he…15 Jun 2023HANSARDArmed Forces Act 2006 (Continuation) Order 2023That the Grand Committee do consider the Armed Forces Act 2006 (Continuation) Order 2023.15 Jun 2023HANSARDArmed Forces Act 2006 (Continuation) Order 2023My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Smith, and the noble Lord, Lord Tunnicliffe, for the brevity of their remarks, as I think the prevailing temperature in the Moses Room…15 Jun 2023HANSARDArmed Forces Act 2006 (Continuation) Order 2023My Lords, for those of us who have served as deck hands on the good ship HMS “Defence” for some time, this continuation order will have a certain familiar resonance, but…15 Jun 2023