Contributions
1,619 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDArmed Forces (Covenant) Regulations 2022It may do so, but only tangentially, because the FCDO has a UK government responsibility to UK citizens abroad, which is a standard duty. It is why we have a diplomatic presence,…18 Oct 2022HANSARDUkraine: NATOI have no hesitation in agreeing with my noble friend. We have all been appalled by the barbarism of Russia’s attacks in Ukraine, not least in Kyiv. It is quite clear that…18 Oct 2022HANSARDUkraine: NATOI agree with the right reverend Prelate that the consequences of the drone attack on Kyiv have been devastating. I think that everyone has watched with horror as again civilians…18 Oct 2022HANSARDUkraine: NATOAs the noble Lord will be aware, since the illegal invasion of Ukraine occurred the United Kingdom has been at the forefront of assisting the country in defending itself. We have…18 Oct 2022HANSARDArmed Forces (Service Court Rules) (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2022I feel almost Gilbertian in this Gilbert and Sullivan-esque interchanging of roles. My Lords, this statutory instrument consists of three changes to the rules that apply to the…18 Oct 2022HANSARDArmed Forces (Service Court Rules) (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2022That the Grand Committee do consider the Armed Forces (Service Court Rules) (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2022. Relevant document: 11th Report from the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny…18 Oct 2022HANSARDArmed Forces (Service Court Rules) (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2022My Lords, once again we have had an interesting debate. In many respects this has been a more technical SI than the earlier one, but none the less, it has generated points of…18 Oct 2022HANSARDArmed Forces (Covenant) Regulations 2022I looked at the Explanatory Memorandum. My understanding is that focus groups are designed specifically to encompass those groups that have an interest and have knowledge. I hope…18 Oct 2022HANSARDUkraine: NATOMy Lords, the United Kingdom continues to engage closely and regularly with our NATO allies as a key part of our response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. The Secretary of…18 Oct 2022HANSARDArmed Forces (Service Court Rules) (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2022I thank the noble Lord. We are sometimes guilty of using vocabulary in the environment with which we are all familiar. These are lay members who are not legally qualified; they…18 Oct 2022HANSARDArmed Forces (Service Court Rules) (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2022That is what I am saying. Indeed, I add to that by observing that it would be profoundly undesirable if the Secretary of State, as a government Minister, were getting involved in…18 Oct 2022HANSARDArmed Forces (Covenant) Regulations 2022I think I was addressing the contribution from the noble Lord, Lord Jones, when we were summoned by Division Bells. I was talking about the role of reservists. Following the…18 Oct 2022HANSARDArmed Forces: LGBT VeteransI pay tribute to the noble Lord, Lord Cashman, and to my noble friend Lord Lexden for their unstinting commitment to these issues. To start with the first part of the noble Lord’s…17 Oct 2022HANSARDArmed Forces: LGBT VeteransThe review period for the noble and learned Lord, Lord Etherton, is from June this year to May next year.17 Oct 2022HANSARDArmed Forces: LGBT VeteransMany in your Lordships’ Chamber will have much sympathy with what my noble friend is saying. I observe that the Armed Forces Pension Scheme is not concerned with the terms and…17 Oct 2022HANSARDArmed Forces: LGBT VeteransMy Lords, service personnel discharged or dismissed in respect of their sexuality retained their accrued pension rights. The Ministry of Defence and Office for Veterans’ Affairs…17 Oct 2022HANSARDArmed Forces: LGBT VeteransI reassure the noble Lord that the Government have undertaken to look very closely at the recommendations of the report by the noble and learned Lord, Lord Etherton. As has been…17 Oct 2022HANSARDArmed Forces: LGBT VeteransIn fact, we do not have the numbers. That is one of the difficulties. As the noble Lord is probably aware, in the early 2000s, the MoD settled a number of claims from former…17 Oct 2022HANSARDArmed Forces: LGBT VeteransI can say to my noble friend that widespread information has been provided about how to give evidence and where the portals are to provide that evidence—it might be in person,…17 Oct 2022HANSARDArmed Forces: LGBT VeteransI can tell the noble Baroness that the call for evidence that commenced in August has been extended to 1 December to provide the fullest opportunity for people to contribute. The…17 Oct 2022