Contributions
1,619 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionMy Lords, in seeking to address legacy issues arising from the Northern Ireland Troubles, I suspect that what we are all agreed on is that there is no absolutely right way in…06 Jan 2026HANSARDDefence SpendingMy Lords, the Government have stated, encouragingly and repeatedly, that defence is a number one priority, but there is a current budget black hole in the MoD of £2.6 billion,…06 Jan 2026HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillMy Lords, I endorse the comments of my noble friend Lord Callanan on the amendments in this group. I raised specific concerns about defence and security in Committee, and I have…05 Jan 2026HANSARDAjax Armoured VehicleMy Lords, I extend my personal sorrow to the family of Lance Corporal George Hooley. His tragic death is a humbling reminder of the risk that we ask all those who serve with such…10 Dec 2025HANSARDArmed Services: Sexual ViolenceMy Lords, in response to my amendment to the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill, which would have enabled an independent direct route to the commissioner for whistleblowing…09 Dec 2025HANSARDRoyal Navy Submarine ForceSenior representatives from BAE Systems and Babcock recently warned the Defence Select Committee in the other place of the risk to the AUKUS programme of delays in decision-making…08 Dec 2025HANSARDStrategic Defence Review 2025My Lords, I echo what the Minister has been saying: the threat that we are facing is immediate. Other countries, recognising that urgency, have taken steps to engage their public…08 Dec 2025HANSARDEquality Act 2010: Supreme Court JudgmentFor the avoidance of doubt, will the Minister confirm that the law is as determined by the Supreme Court judgment? Any code of practice is guidance.27 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillMy Lords, I did not expect to participate in this, but I was having a conversation earlier with my noble friend Lord Minto, who is very knowledgeable about corporate finance. He…25 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillI am happy to speak outside the Chamber.25 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillForgive me for being slightly behind the curve; I was trying to follow the sections in the annex. The Minister referred to Annex 1(11), in particular the definition of…25 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillMy Lords, I associate myself with the remarks of my noble friend Lord Callanan on the amendments to which he spoke. I shall be dealing with the word “expeditiously” and I will try…25 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillMy Lords, my Amendment 88 in this group is very much in a similar vein to my earlier amendments, although I see I do not have the presence of my newly acquired fan—the noble Lord,…25 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillBefore the Minister sits down, the particular question I pose—and I am not being polemical; I think there is an issue—is: what actually stops Mauritius, contractually, from…25 Nov 2025HANSARDRussian Ship “Yantar”My Lords, the “Yantar” spy ship has form when it comes to pushing boundaries, but directing laser beams at a UK Poseidon surveillance plane is an unwelcome development. It is…25 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillI am grateful to the Minister for giving way. I do of course understand the sensitivity of not discussing operational activity in a public domain. However, if I revert to the…25 Nov 2025HANSARDPresident Trump: Nuclear Weapons StatementMy Lords, following on from what the Minister has just very helpfully said, in relation to our own United Kingdom nuclear defence capability, we have seen just this week that…20 Nov 2025HANSARDMinistry of Defence Procurement: UK-manufactured ProductsMy Lords, I revert to the Question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Beamish. When it comes to MoD procurement within the United Kingdom, there are two certainties: there is a £2.6…18 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillMy Lords, I will speak to Amendment 89 in my name and in support of the amendments in the name of my noble friend Lord Callanan. At Second Reading, I raised the broad issue of the…18 Nov 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillMy Lords, my noble friend Lord Callanan will respond to the Minister on behalf of these Benches, but I have been requested to make a brief intervention on defence and security. I…11 Nov 2025