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1,619 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill30 Apr 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillI understand the technical point that the Minister is making, and I appreciate his desire to clarify that to the House. I understand the position, but it does not detract from my…30 Apr 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillMy Lords, this has been a most useful debate, and I hope it has been helpful. I thank all who contributed, whatever their point of view, not least those who felt able to support…30 Apr 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillI am very grateful to the Minister and am satisfied that there are not too many letters flying around—there is only one. I am very happy to withdraw my amendment, and I beg leave…30 Apr 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillMy Lords, I will respond to the Government’s consequential Amendment 15. In Committee, the Government brought forward this amendment, claiming that it was minor and technical. At…30 Apr 2025HANSARDDefence Spending: ScotlandMy Lords, I am always happy to talk about the SNP. Because of the SNP, Scotland is now the highest-taxed part of the United Kingdom, with many recruiters having to offer…29 Apr 2025HANSARDDemocracy and Unelected Strong LeadersMy Lords, I declare an interest in that I once wrote an essay, and obtained high marks, on the subject of enlightened despotism—I wrote it in the first person. Can we not take…03 Apr 2025HANSARDHouse of Lords (Hereditary Peers) BillMy Lords, I have spoken sparingly on this Bill, wishing to speak only if I had something useful to say—a self-discipline which I note has not been practised universally during the…01 Apr 2025HANSARDFuture Defence CapabilityMy Lords, the Government’s focus on defence and the further clarification of intended funding, as evident from the Chancellor’s Statement this morning, are welcome. While further…26 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill24 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillI will try to be as brief as possible. I had thanked the Minister for his kind remarks about the previous Government. It is the case that incredible progress has been made. As I…24 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillMy Lords, it is a pleasure to join you all this afternoon on day two of Committee on the Bill. I should explain that last Wednesday, consideration of an important non-defence Bill…24 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillIt might be as well to adjourn for the Division.24 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillMy Lords, I am very grateful to the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Norwich for putting his name to my Amendment 16. At Second Reading, I expressed my concern about the…24 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillI am grateful to the Minister. All I shall say in conclusion is that there is an opportunity here to provide another vent, shaft or conduit, which could provide immediate help to…24 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill24 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillMy Lords, not for the first time, a debate of brevity has actually been one of substance. I am grateful to the noble and gallant Lord, Lord Stirrup, and the noble Baroness, Lady…24 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillMy Lords, again, this has been a short but very substantial debate. I thank the noble and gallant Lord, Lord Stirrup, and the noble Lord, Lord Russell, for their…24 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner Bill24 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillMy Lords, I listened to the noble Lord, Lord Beamish. This amendment concerns an area of technical expertise that is way beyond my ken—although, when I was a Minister, Gibraltar…24 Mar 2025