Contributions
1,619 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDArmed Forces BillI certainly undertake to look at Hansard and endeavour to frame a response to the noble and learned Lord.27 Oct 2021HANSARDFrance: AUKUSThe noble Baroness is correct about our relationship with NATO and the significance of NATO to Euro-Atlantic security; I entirely agree with that assessment. She is also correct…19 Oct 2021HANSARDFrance: AUKUSYes, I want to dispel the illusion that there is some conspiracy of silence on the part of the UK; there is not. Certainly, from a defence perspective, business continues, as it…19 Oct 2021HANSARDFrance: AUKUSBecause this new arrangement is predicated on the desire of another state—Australia—to make changes to its submarine fleet. That was not instigated by the United Kingdom; we were…19 Oct 2021HANSARDFrance: AUKUSAs for the future, the UK will continue to engage with allies and partners regarding the stability of the Indo-Pacific region, whether that is through the FPDA, bilateral…19 Oct 2021HANSARDFrance: AUKUSThis is not opening up a rift in NATO. In fact, AUKUS has reinforced a NATO leaders’ summit decision to place greater emphasis on regional partnerships; and, interestingly, AUKUS…19 Oct 2021HANSARDFrance: AUKUSI simply respond to the noble Lord by observing that the instigator of this new arrangement was actually Australia: it was Australia that decided that it wished to change its…19 Oct 2021HANSARDFrance: AUKUSI thank my noble friend for affirming the strategic importance of AUKUS, echoing what the noble Lord, Lord West, said. The tripartite collaboration has been formed for a specific…19 Oct 2021HANSARDFrance: AUKUSI seek to assure the noble Lord that we recognise the significance of the French Government’s reaction to AUKUS and the strength of the feeling it has generated. We have a…19 Oct 2021HANSARDFrance: AUKUSMy Lords, as neighbours, allies and partners, we have continued to engage with the French Government across a wide range of business since the AUKUS announcement.19 Oct 2021HANSARDRoyal Navy: Ships and FrigatesThe noble Lord will be aware that responsibility for sourcing steel for government-procured vessels rests with prime contractors; it should be in line with Cabinet Office…14 Oct 2021HANSARDRoyal Navy: Ships and FrigatesMy Lords, the Ministry of Defence expects to place an order for the Batch 2 Type 26 frigates in the early 2020s and to award a manufacturer contract for the fleet solid support…14 Oct 2021HANSARDRoyal Navy: Ships and FrigatesThe programme for Dreadnought is already public. These ships are being commissioned and the potential delivery dates are in the public domain. The shipbuilding strategy has played…14 Oct 2021HANSARDRoyal Navy: Ships and FrigatesWe always keep a weather eye on what our friends and allies are doing. Our first responsibility in securing this nation is to ensure that we have these capabilities for production…14 Oct 2021HANSARDRoyal Navy: Ships and FrigatesOf course everyone in the United Kingdom knows that there is a climate emergency, not least the Ministers of this Government. It is evident from the measures being brought forward…14 Oct 2021HANSARDRoyal Navy: Ships and FrigatesI know that the noble Lord and I can have our civilised and courteous differences of opinion, but I am absolutely at one with the sentiments which he expresses. I see at first…14 Oct 2021HANSARDRoyal Navy: Ships and FrigatesIf I may answer the last part of the noble Baroness’s question first: yes, there will be. That is a logistical calculation that we constantly make and review. We are going to have…14 Oct 2021HANSARDRoyal Navy: Ships and FrigatesThis Government have a fundamental democratic responsibility to keep this nation secure and safe and to work with our allies and partners globally to contribute to a safer world.…14 Oct 2021HANSARDRoyal Navy: Ships and FrigatesI have outlined what is currently happening. With construction of the Type 26 progressing on the Clyde and the Type 31 progressing on the Forth at Rosyth, we have, for the first…14 Oct 2021HANSARDRoyal Navy: Ships and FrigatesYes. It is an important collaboration and partnership. We and our fellow partners in that grouping will work closely together. As for interoperability, I guess that can take two…14 Oct 2021