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1,619 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDIntegrated Review: New ShipsMy Lords, all MoD obligations and commitments, including the nuclear deterrent, are budgeted for in the MoD budget. While I understand the noble Lord’s concern about the cost of…25 Jan 2021HANSARDBritish Armed Forces: Global BritainMy Lords, I congratulate my noble friend Lord Lancaster on securing this valuable debate and thank your Lordships for a stimulating discussion. I know your Lordships felt…21 Jan 2021HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) BillMy Lords, it has been a privilege to participate in and listen to this debate. I want to express my appreciation for the thoughtful and profound contributions that have been made,…20 Jan 2021HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) BillThat the Bill be now read a second time. Relevant document: 9th Report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights20 Jan 2021HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) BillMy Lords, it is with pleasure that I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time. I begin by paying tribute to the brave men and women of our Armed Forces, who protect…20 Jan 2021HANSARDUN Mission in Mali: Armed Forces DeploymentThe last part of my noble friend’s question encapsulates why the United Nations is there and why we are proud to make to our contribution to that mission. Our force may be 300,…14 Dec 2020HANSARDUN Mission in Mali: Armed Forces DeploymentI go back to what we are doing and why we are there. We are part of this United Nations mission. It is important to remember the umbrella character of that mission. I fully agree…14 Dec 2020HANSARDUN Mission in Mali: Armed Forces DeploymentWe take assessment of risk extremely seriously and we will keep mitigation and management of risk under continuous review. On the specific issue of medevac capability, as in all…14 Dec 2020HANSARDUN Mission in Mali: Armed Forces DeploymentMy understanding is that the direct line of command will be to the overall commander, Lieutenant-General Gyllensporre. But, obviously, our deployment unit has a commanding officer…14 Dec 2020HANSARDUN Mission in Mali: Armed Forces DeploymentI thank the noble Lord for alluding to an important point. He is right; I outlined earlier the principal objectives identified by the Foreign Secretary for ODA. In respect of our…14 Dec 2020HANSARDUN Mission in Mali: Armed Forces DeploymentThe noble and gallant Lord raises a very important point. We very much hope our Armed Forces remain safe and that they will not come under threat of loss of life or of injury. He…14 Dec 2020HANSARDUN Mission in Mali: Armed Forces DeploymentI thank my noble friend for raising a very important point. I also pay tribute to her role as chairman of the International Relations and Defence Committee and to its very…14 Dec 2020HANSARDUN Mission in Mali: Armed Forces DeploymentMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Touhig, and the noble Baroness, Lady Smith, very much for their helpful and constructive comments. On behalf of the Government, I also thank…14 Dec 2020HANSARDUN Mission in Mali: Armed Forces DeploymentI slightly missed a bit in the middle of the noble Viscount’s question, but I will try to deal with the overall concept of his question as to what we are doing in the Sahel. Our…14 Dec 2020HANSARDUN Mission in Mali: Armed Forces DeploymentThat was indeed a very sad outcome. It is one we remain mindful of, and that we cannot and will not forget. The answer to the noble Lord’s question is probably best explained by…14 Dec 2020HANSARDWar Widows PensionsNo. I say to my noble friend that of course it is not. I have no wish to be evasive. That is why, at the risk of incurring the displeasure of the Deputy Speaker, I thought it…10 Dec 2020HANSARDWar Widows PensionsI merely seek to reassure the noble Lord that active investigations are taking place, options are being explored and indeed, the President of the War Widows’ Association met with…10 Dec 2020HANSARDWar Widows PensionsI echo the sentiments of the noble Lord and share the sentiments of my colleague Johnny Mercer. The noble Lord is realistic in recognising that the difficulties to which I have…10 Dec 2020HANSARDWar Widows PensionsI understand the noble Baroness’s frustration and anger and I have no wish to seek to diffuse that. All I can say is that the difficulty to which I have referred real: it is not…10 Dec 2020HANSARDWar Widows PensionsI thank the right reverend Prelate; he too delivers a powerful message. I totally uphold the institution of marriage. He refers to an anomaly that many of us find completely…10 Dec 2020