Contributions
1,619 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHMS “Queen Elizabeth”The noble and gallant Lord identifies a number of significant issues. The unique attributes of the carrier strike group mean that it can provide a global presence wherever the…04 Nov 2020HANSARDHMS “Queen Elizabeth”The noble and gallant Lord will be aware that, in contemplating any deployment, we make an extensive and robust assessment of risk in all respects. That is what we do at the…04 Nov 2020HANSARDHMS “Queen Elizabeth”The noble Baroness’s crystal ball must be bigger than mine, because the answer to the outcome of the United States presidential election is unclear to me. As she will be aware,…04 Nov 2020HANSARDHMS “Queen Elizabeth”I thank my noble friend. I am unable to comment in detail as to future deployments for the very same reasons that I am unable to comment in detail on the immediate deployment of…04 Nov 2020HANSARDDefence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020That the draft Regulations laid before the House on 7 October be approved. Relevant document: 31st Report from the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee03 Nov 2020HANSARDDefence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020My Lords, I thank your Lordships very much indeed for their contributions, which have all been helpful and informative. I will deal with them as specifically as I can. The noble…03 Nov 2020HANSARDDefence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020My Lords, as we look towards 2021, planning for the smooth delivery of defence and security procurement beyond the transition period is absolutely essential. This instrument will…03 Nov 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: ReductionThe noble Lord will understand that the pandemic has inevitably imposed restrictions on what it is possible to do. That is a matter of regret, but it is a necessity and we have to…22 Oct 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: ReductionThe noble Viscount identified two critical areas of activity. I agree with the importance that he attaches to them. As he is aware, we are positively responsive to these areas…22 Oct 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: ReductionI will look at the specific issue to which my noble friend referred and come back to her with a more detailed answer. On the broader front, we do retain a presence in Afghanistan…22 Oct 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: ReductionThe noble Lord is correct. The Service Prosecuting Authority is essential, as part of the framework under which our Armed Forces operate. I could not envisage a situation where…22 Oct 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: ReductionAs the noble Lord is aware, the Government have committed to honour our spend commitment to NATO by spending 2% of GDP on defence. We also had a manifesto commitment to increase…22 Oct 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: ReductionI repeat what I said to the noble Lord, Lord Browne of Ladyton, and assure my noble friend that we are always cognisant in the MoD of what we are there to do and what our…22 Oct 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: ReductionI apologise to the noble Lord but I am inadequately briefed to respond to his question in any meaningful fashion. I shall look at Hansard , take away what he has asked and see…22 Oct 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: ReductionThe noble Lord is predicating his question on speculation and hypothesis. I can respond to his question only in relation to facts as I am aware of them. The core obligation of the…22 Oct 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: ReductionThe noble Lord raises significant issues. His question impinges on two aspects: one is the integrated review and the other is the spending review. In relation to the latter, the…22 Oct 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: ReductionMy Lords, the Government continually review the balance between levels of activity, including deployments and training, and Armed Forces personnel resources. It would not be…22 Oct 2020HANSARDArmed Forces Personnel from Commonwealth CountriesI thank the noble Lord for his kind remarks—he perhaps attributes to me greater powers than I actually possess. He is right to emphasise the significance of the issue, and I…20 Oct 2020HANSARDArmed Forces Personnel from Commonwealth CountriesThe MoD, the Home Office and the Government in general provide financial advice to veterans who are facing financial difficulty. Following discharge, Veterans UK’s Veterans…20 Oct 2020HANSARDArmed Forces Personnel from Commonwealth CountriesI do not for one moment doubt the noble Lord’s sincerity, although he will be aware that the policy was obtained during the time of the coalition Government, of which his party…20 Oct 2020