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1,619 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDMilitary Personnel: Strike Action CoverTo reply to the first part of the noble Lord’s question, it is the case that a proportion of our Armed Forces have been identified to be deployed to MACA tests—the figure I have…19 Dec 2022HANSARDMilitary Personnel: Strike Action CoverI can reassure my noble friend that the Ministry of Defence is acutely conscious of the sacrifice our Armed Forces are making this winter to ensure the smooth running of essential…19 Dec 2022HANSARDMilitary Personnel: Strike Action CoverThe noble Lord will appreciate that I am here to answer questions on behalf of the MoD. However, I can say that despite the complex range of national security threats we face, our…19 Dec 2022HANSARDMilitary Personnel: Strike Action CoverI reassure the noble Baroness and the House that I and my ministerial colleagues are clear about the primary task of the Armed Forces: defence of the realm. We would not approve a…19 Dec 2022HANSARDMilitary Personnel: Strike Action CoverThe Secretary of State, my right honourable friend Ben Wallace, is very clear about his primary obligation to the MoD and our Armed Forces, whom we depend on and on whom we are…19 Dec 2022HANSARDMilitary Personnel: Strike Action CoverI have detected frequently in this Chamber—I do not think it necessary to seek that reassurance again—that there is huge respect and affection for our Armed Forces, a respect and…19 Dec 2022HANSARDAjax VehiclesI think the noble Lord refers to the King report—the report from the director of health and safety in the MoD. As I indicated to the noble Lord, Lord Coaker, we have implemented a…12 Dec 2022HANSARDAjax VehiclesMy Lords, the recent user-validation trials to assess the effectiveness of the modifications proposed by General Dynamics to address the noise and vibration concerns over Ajax are…12 Dec 2022HANSARDAjax VehiclesI very often find cause to disagree with the noble Lord, but, on this occasion, I accept his proposition that the conflict in Ukraine has informed us. It is the most recent…12 Dec 2022HANSARDAjax VehiclesMy noble friend makes an important point. I am not going to stand here with a finger pointing blame at individual Governments. There has been a collective, cumulative process, as…12 Dec 2022HANSARDAjax VehiclesI thank the noble Lord for his kind comments; I felt as though I was in perpetual transit until I walked through the front door of this building. This has been a rocky road, as I…12 Dec 2022HANSARDAjax VehiclesI am pretty sure that, in the other place and here, the Government’s feet will be held to the fire. We expect Ministers to come to the Dispatch Box and explain what the progress…12 Dec 2022HANSARDAjax VehiclesAs I indicated, Ajax is a very important development. It is a highly protected and versatile platform. It is able to move, fight, command and be repaired anywhere on the…12 Dec 2022HANSARDAjax VehiclesWhen the problem emerged during trials, immediate action was taken: support was given, medical help was provided and monitoring continues. I do not have up-to-date information,…12 Dec 2022HANSARDProcurement Bill [HL]My Lords, I first thank noble Lords for their contributions. I understand fully that the proposed amendment is well intended, and I accept it in that spirit. I think it has…30 Nov 2022HANSARDProcurement Bill [HL]I hear both noble Lords. To put a little context around this, the MoD has not been sitting in some splendid ivory tower in isolation as volatile economic circumstances swirled…30 Nov 2022HANSARDUkraine: Russian Drone AttacksI have no specific information on that matter. I can make inquiries and, if permitted, I shall disclose to my noble friend what I can.29 Nov 2022HANSARDUkraine: Russian Drone AttacksMy Lords, Russia’s forces are resorting to striking Ukraine’s critical national infrastructure, especially the power grid. It should be noted that these facilities have no direct…29 Nov 2022HANSARDUkraine: Russian Drone AttacksAs the right reverend Prelate will be aware, it is not so much the numbers of drones as the way in which they are used, which is required to comply with international law and the…29 Nov 2022HANSARDUkraine: Russian Drone AttacksWhat is important is that, first, we have an effective sanctions regime. As the noble Lord indicated, the UK has sanctioned more than 1,100 individuals and 100 entities, and with…29 Nov 2022