Contributions
1,619 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDUkraine: Russian Drone AttacksThe noble Lord is correct in that intercepting these drones is challenging because some of them are relatively small in mass, so certain types of weaponry may be more effective…29 Nov 2022HANSARDUkraine: Russian Drone AttacksThere is evidence that the sanctions have certainly had an impact on Russia’s ability to operate a functioning economy. As to their impact on its weapons manufacturing, I have no…29 Nov 2022HANSARDUkraine: Russian Drone AttacksI have observed before in this Chamber that drones—unmanned aerial vehicles—are part of the UK’s defence capability. My noble friend makes an interesting point. The war in Ukraine…29 Nov 2022HANSARDUkraine: Russian Drone AttacksThe noble Lord is focusing on something very pertinent. Russia has increasingly struggled to secure critical inputs and technologies needed for its war against Ukraine because of…29 Nov 2022HANSARDUkraine: Russian Drone AttacksWe have been very careful as a country, whether acting bilaterally with Ukraine or in consort with our allies, to ensure that we are responding to what Ukraine says it needs and…29 Nov 2022HANSARDUkraine: Russian Drone AttacksI do not know whether the Attorney-General has been consulted, but the noble Lord will be aware that Iran, for example, is breaching United Nations Security Council resolutions.…29 Nov 2022HANSARDUkraine: Russian Drone AttacksI thank my noble friend. We have been able, as a country, to provide some very meaningful support, particularly on the military side. We have developed a package to support…29 Nov 2022HANSARDFleet Solid Support ShipsI observe to my noble friend that the vast majority of the build work will take place in the UK. There will be an element of the aft blocks built in Spain, but by far the majority…22 Nov 2022HANSARDFleet Solid Support ShipsI thank the noble Baroness for her encouraging remarks and for accepting the real world in which we live. Her aspiration is laudable. It is always our intention in the MoD to…22 Nov 2022HANSARDFleet Solid Support ShipsI do not agree with the noble Lord’s assessment of a very exciting opportunity for British shipbuilding. The bulk of these ships are going to be built within the UK, particularly…22 Nov 2022HANSARDFleet Solid Support ShipsI can only repeat what I said in response to earlier questions: that the majority of these ships will be built in the UK. As I understand the technical situation, the majority of…22 Nov 2022HANSARDFleet Solid Support ShipsAs the noble Lord is aware, when it comes to the procurement of complex contracts such as those in which the MoD is frequently engaged, what matters is who has the skills, what…22 Nov 2022HANSARDFleet Solid Support ShipsI thank the noble Lord for his contribution. He identifies the underpinning wisdom and strength of the shipbuilding strategy, which Sir John Parker originally conceived with the…22 Nov 2022HANSARDFleet Solid Support ShipsAs far as I understand it, Harland & Wolff currently expects the contract to support 1,200 shipbuilding jobs across its yards in Belfast and Appledore. As everyone is aware,…22 Nov 2022HANSARDFleet Solid Support ShipsWhat I would say is that Navantia is a globally acknowledged shipbuilding expert. We are very pleased to be able to draw on its skills. For example, the agreement we have reached…22 Nov 2022HANSARDFleet Solid Support ShipsThe ships have been designed in the UK by BMT, a leading firm of naval architects. Intellectual property in the design rests with it. The Ministry of Defence does not generally…22 Nov 2022HANSARDMali: UN Peacekeeping MissionYes, I say to my noble friend that that source of support which we provide is important. Through that base, we are providing training to peace- keepers from a wide range of…15 Nov 2022HANSARDMali: UN Peacekeeping MissionOn the first question, I am not privy to what discussions took place. I shall make inquiries and respond to the noble Lord with more details if I am able to do so. As to the…15 Nov 2022HANSARDMali: UN Peacekeeping MissionI am not sure that it is possible to give a specific response to my noble friend’s question; reverting to the Accra initiative, I think a great deal of discussion has to be had as…15 Nov 2022HANSARDMali: UN Peacekeeping MissionMy understanding is that a total of £79.85 million has currently been committed to the deployment through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund. I emphasise that the decision…15 Nov 2022