Contributions
1,619 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRAF: C-130J HerculesAs the noble Lord will be aware, we have taken delivery of the full cohort of flight, that being 22 of these aircraft. It is the case that there were some niche challenges and…08 Jun 2023HANSARDRAF: C-130J HerculesMy Lords, the Atlas A400M is the next generation of air mobility aircraft. It is a more modern and capable aircraft than the Hercules C-130J, offering the opportunity to approach…08 Jun 2023HANSARDRAF: C-130J HerculesAs the noble and gallant Lord will be aware, on availability, if we factor in planned maintenance for the whole fleet and retrofitting for some of the older A400Ms to bring them…08 Jun 2023HANSARDRAF: C-130J HerculesI will take the last bit of the noble Baroness’s question first. There is no evidence to suggest that the size of that capability is inadequate. I have been frank about the…08 Jun 2023HANSARDRAF: C-130J HerculesMy noble friend never hesitates to tempt me to give the Chamber interesting titbits from the Dispatch Box. The current fleet of 22 aircraft is the basis on which we are currently…08 Jun 2023HANSARDRAF: C-130J HerculesI must observe that my noble friend is much more intrepid than I am.08 Jun 2023HANSARDRAF: C-130J HerculesI have no specific information on that. I shall undertake to write to my noble friend with whatever information I can procure.08 Jun 2023HANSARDRAF: C-130J HerculesI can confirm that the Hercules will be withdrawn from service at the end of this month, and that sales activity is already being managed through the Defence Equipment Sales…08 Jun 2023HANSARDUkraineI thank my noble friend. There are probably two prisms through which to look at this. One is that, just as the MoD, for example, has been fastidious but helpful in disclosing…15 May 2023HANSARDUkraineI thank the noble Baroness for her interesting observation following her visit to Ukraine. She illustrates a poignant example of the importance of Ukrainian women’s contribution…15 May 2023HANSARDUkraineThe UK is very conscious of the atrocities which have been perpetrated by Russian forces in Ukraine. We respond to that as best we can with a mixture of humanitarian aid, some of…15 May 2023HANSARDUkraineThe noble Lord poses an important question. Regarding recent activity, he is correct that Russian ships were operating in the North Sea. The Ministry of Defence constantly…15 May 2023HANSARDUkraineThe United Kingdom was instrumental in getting an oil price cap placed on Russian oil, so oil prices have fallen significantly for Russia, apparently lowering its energy revenues…15 May 2023HANSARDUkraineMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Coaker, and the noble Baroness, Lady Smith, for the tenor of their remarks. I welcome their support. I think one of the most important…15 May 2023HANSARDUkraineI assure the noble Viscount that we have agreed mechanisms in place to ensure that these weapons will be used within Ukrainian territory to disrupt Russia’s ability to strike…15 May 2023HANSARDArmy Foundation College: Welfare Inspection RegimeYes, I can comfortably give the noble Baroness that assurance. I have seen at first hand the variety of mechanisms now available to the young soldiers in order to voice any…11 May 2023HANSARDArmy Foundation College: Welfare Inspection RegimeYes, I can provide that reassurance to the noble Baroness. That is a very pertinent question. A junior soldier can now report crime via a multitude of platforms. It need not be…11 May 2023HANSARDArmy Foundation College: Welfare Inspection RegimeI thank the noble Lord for his positive observation. I reiterate to the Chamber by way of reassurance that the recruitment of under-18s into the Armed Forces meets all legal…11 May 2023HANSARDArmy Foundation College: Welfare Inspection RegimeI congratulate the noble Lord on his vision in creating the foundation college, which has been an extremely important development for the Army. What happens in this Chamber…11 May 2023HANSARDArmy Foundation College: Welfare Inspection RegimeI thank my noble friend for that clearly very knowledgeable assessment of what happens at the foundation college. I will simply repeat an excerpt from the Ofsted report: “Recruits…11 May 2023