Contributions
1,619 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDUkraine: Defence in a Competitive AgeTo answer the first part of my noble friend’s question, he will be aware that the defence budget will grow from £40 billion in 2019-20 to £47.6 billion in 2024-25. That…07 Apr 2022HANSARDUkraine: Defence in a Competitive AgeAs we understand the impact of the threat from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we will of course keep plans under review—I have indicated that and we will of course do that. We will…07 Apr 2022HANSARDUkraine: Defence in a Competitive AgeMy Lords, Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine shows more than ever that the UK must be ready to defend and deter threats emanating from our adversaries in a deteriorating global…07 Apr 2022HANSARDUkraine: Defence in a Competitive AgeI demur somewhat with my noble friend’s analysis. I have outlined an extensive programme of investment that will take place over the next 10, 15 and 20 years, and I think that…07 Apr 2022HANSARDUkraine: Defence in a Competitive AgeThe MoD constantly reviews our obligations—both our primary responsibility to defend the nation and our responsibility to contribute to global security with our global partners,…07 Apr 2022HANSARDUkraine: Lethal WeaponsI think my noble friend Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answered a Question recently on this very issue. He was quite clear that, although normalisation of relations with Russia is not…05 Apr 2022HANSARDUkraine: Lethal WeaponsAgain, the noble Lord speaks for us all in the Chamber. This illegal war, with all its hideous and barbaric consequences, must fail. Certainly, we in the United Kingdom, with our…05 Apr 2022HANSARDUkraine: Lethal WeaponsI thank my noble friend, and I am sure that he speaks for the whole Chamber when he articulates our respect and admiration for the people of Ukraine in a quite breath-taking…05 Apr 2022HANSARDUkraine: Lethal WeaponsI can confirm to the noble and gallant Lord that the MoD continually manages and reviews all of its stocks of weapons and munitions to ensure that it can meet its commitments.…05 Apr 2022HANSARDUkraine: Lethal WeaponsThe noble Lord will be aware of the mixture of anti-tank missiles that we have previously supplied. We have also taken the decision to supply Starstreak high-velocity man-portable…05 Apr 2022HANSARDUkraine: Lethal WeaponsI referred earlier to the second international donor conference held on 31 March. At that conference, the international community committed to widening its package of military…05 Apr 2022HANSARDUkraine: Lethal WeaponsI respond to my noble friend by saying that the United Kingdom is a friend of Ukraine and Ukraine is a friend of the United Kingdom. We stand by our friends. We have a clear…05 Apr 2022HANSARDUkraine: Lethal WeaponsIn so far as that impacts on our industry partners in the UK, yes, as I said earlier to the noble and gallant Lord sitting behind, we do make assessments and consult constantly…05 Apr 2022HANSARDUkraine: Lethal WeaponsMy Lords, the UK is committed to supporting Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s ongoing aggression. With our allies, we are working to provide more lethal defensive…05 Apr 2022HANSARDUkraine: Lethal WeaponsMy noble friend articulates a powerful sentiment; that is why there is such resolve on the part of the United Kingdom as a bilateral friend of Ukraine and in the global…05 Apr 2022HANSARDUkraine: Lethal WeaponsThat strays very much outwith my immediate area of responsibility and into that of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. I am sure that my noble friend Lord Ahmad would…05 Apr 2022HANSARDNational Shipbuilding StrategyI thank my noble friend. I think she and I would certainly echo the sentiment that the island communities in Scotland are crying out for help. She refers to what has been a very…15 Mar 2022HANSARDNational Shipbuilding StrategyThe noble Lord included a lot of material in his question, and I am not sure I can respond to it all. Let me pick up first on the important figure that he referred to, which is…15 Mar 2022HANSARDNational Shipbuilding StrategyMy Lords, I first thank the noble Lord, Lord Tunnicliffe, and the noble Baroness, Lady Smith, for their observations. Although their questions, quite rightly, are penetrating, I…15 Mar 2022HANSARDNational Shipbuilding StrategyYes, and I say to the noble Lord that, of course, the strategy is a cross-government endeavour. It is being delivered by the National Shipbuilding Office, which sits within the…15 Mar 2022