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1,619 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDArmed Forces: Gambling DisordersI have already outlined a variety of activities and range of support measures we deploy to help both serving Armed Forces personnel and veterans. The noble Lord, Lord Browne of…13 Sept 2021HANSARDArmed Forces: Gambling DisordersI seek to reassure the noble Baroness by telling her that new recruits to the Armed Forces receive comprehensive briefings on the importance of financial security and the values…13 Sept 2021HANSARDArmed Forces: Gambling DisordersMy noble friend echoes the point made by the noble Lords, Lord Foster and Lord Browne of Ladyton. As I indicated, we are anxious to ascertain what we can. Your Lordships will…13 Sept 2021HANSARDArmed Forces: Gambling DisordersI agree with the noble Lord that it is important to know whether there is a problem and, if there is, its nature and where it is to be found before trying to deploy solutions and…13 Sept 2021HANSARDAjax Armoured Cavalry ProgrammeMy Lords, first, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Coaker, and the noble Baroness, Lady Smith, for their questions. To put this in context, the Chamber will understand that Ajax is a…13 Sept 2021HANSARDAjax Armoured Cavalry ProgrammeI know that my noble friend has presented me with a large ball and a very big tennis racket, but I am perhaps going to be slightly cautious on how I return the serve. We all…13 Sept 2021HANSARDAjax Armoured Cavalry ProgrammeWe are facing the approaching era of robotics. That is the age in which we are living. It is a complicated age, as I was just describing. This vehicle is not only relevant: it is…13 Sept 2021HANSARDAjax Armoured Cavalry ProgrammeThe noble Lord makes a characteristically interesting and amusing allusion. I would not agree with his assessment. As I have been illustrating, Ajax, as part of our armed cavalry…13 Sept 2021HANSARDAjax Armoured Cavalry ProgrammeI am slightly out of my depth in trying to talk about the relative size of the vehicles. I know that concern has been expressed that this is too large a vehicle for what we call a…13 Sept 2021HANSARDArmed Forces: Gambling DisordersThe right reverend Prelate will be aware that a study by Swansea University, sponsored by the Forces in Mind Trust, is currently taking place to understand the levels of gambling…13 Sept 2021HANSARDArmed Forces: Gambling DisordersMy Lords, this Government have no such plans. We take problem gambling seriously and monitor for the emergence of problem gambling instances within the Armed Forces. We provide…13 Sept 2021HANSARDSheffield ForgemastersAs I think is universally understood, this was really a stand-alone case and a matter for essential intervention to preserve critical national infrastructure. The financial…08 Sept 2021HANSARDSheffield ForgemastersAs the noble Lord will be aware, the Government take a very keen interest in and keep a vigilant eye on security of defence supply. In relation to the specific issue that he…08 Sept 2021HANSARDSheffield ForgemastersI thank the noble Lord for the tenor of his remarks and say to him that the proposed investment of £400 million over 10 years will be in defence-critical plant, equipment and…08 Sept 2021HANSARDSheffield ForgemastersWell, I feel very inadequately qualified to give the noble Baroness an intelligent answer. What I would say is that, in so far as the MoD premise is concerned and in so far as our…08 Sept 2021HANSARDSheffield ForgemastersI remember that in 1990 I thought Scotland would never see devolution, so we all have to get used to change. What I can say is that the activities of the company have moved on…08 Sept 2021HANSARDSheffield ForgemastersIt means that the company has an ascertained level of demand from the MoD but, as I said earlier, it also has a very healthy suite of non-MoD, commercial customers. Part of the…08 Sept 2021HANSARDSheffield ForgemastersYes, I am happy to give my noble friend that assurance. It is demonstrated by our commitment to provide up to £400 million of funding to the company over the next 10 years. Some…08 Sept 2021HANSARDSheffield ForgemastersMy noble friend asks an important question. We operate under strict regulations that preserve the commercial market. Where competition exists, MoD contracts are tendered in an…08 Sept 2021HANSARDSheffield ForgemastersMy Lords, Sheffield Forgemasters is a unique and key strategic supplier to the UK’s defence programme. The decision to acquire this company will secure the supply of components…08 Sept 2021