Contributions
1,619 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBritish Overseas Troops: Civil Liability ClaimsFirst, I thank the noble Lord for his helpful comments; he speaks from singular experience in the field. The risk that he alludes to is not likely to materialise. As I said…20 Jul 2020HANSARDBritish Overseas Troops: Civil Liability ClaimsI thank the noble Viscount for his pertinent question. We have committed to enshrining the military covenant in law. That issue is currently being investigated and we hope to be…20 Jul 2020HANSARDBritish Overseas Troops: Civil Liability ClaimsI thank the noble Lord for his observations. I am afraid that the sound quality was very distorted so I did not detect a question, but I will look at Hansard and if I need to…20 Jul 2020HANSARDBritish Overseas Troops: Civil Liability ClaimsI thank my noble friend for his helpful comments and his tribute to my honourable friend Mr Johnny Mercer, who is a noted proponent of the interests of veterans and a passionate…20 Jul 2020HANSARDBritish Overseas Troops: Civil Liability ClaimsI am happy to give that reassurance to my noble friend. As I explained earlier, the Bill is neither a statute of limitations nor an amnesty but an attempt to strike a fair balance…20 Jul 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: Racism and DiversityI might be able to offer my noble friend some reassuring examples of the strategies that are currently being deployed to address the very issues that she referred to. I shall of…17 Jun 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: Racism and DiversityMy Lords, recent events have brought the issues of racism and diversity into sharp relief. While the Ministry of Defence has long recognised that any form of racism or…17 Jun 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: Racism and DiversityWe owe it to our black, Asian and minority-ethnic personnel to understand these issues from their perspective. We must listen and continue making change happen. I assure the noble…17 Jun 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: Racism and DiversityI listened with great interest to the point raised by my noble friend. I have no specific information about the appointment of chaplains or the backgrounds from which they are…17 Jun 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: Racism and DiversityI reassure the noble and gallant Lord that various initiatives and programmes have been deployed within the Armed Forces to cover these very areas of concern. If we want to…17 Jun 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: Racism and DiversityFirst, I commend the Royal Navy for the fine example that it has been giving. I say to the noble Lord that, in pursuance of the diversity and inclusion strategy, to which I…17 Jun 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: Racism and DiversityThe noble Baroness is correct to focus on results. I share her interest in doing that and, within my ministerial role, I will endeavour to ensure that that happens. I reassure her…17 Jun 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: Racism and DiversityWe are anxious to learn from any source about how we might improve our approach, but it would be wrong to imagine that no good things are happening. A number of very good things…17 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Security RisksThe noble Lord will be aware of this Government’s very creditable record in relation to defence expenditure. We saw an upping of £2.2 billion for 2019-20. We have committed to a…19 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Security RisksIn relation to NATO in particular, we are a principal contributor of funding to support efforts against misinformation by using cyber intelligence to counter it. On the specific…19 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Security RisksI reassure the right reverend Prelate that all defence personnel and their household members who are symptomatic are eligible for testing as part of the national testing…19 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Security RisksI do not have specific information on that topic for the noble Baroness. As she is aware, general work is done with NATO across a range of sectors and activities, but I shall make…19 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Security RisksI am unable to comment specifically on the role of the United States; I am here to answer questions on behalf of the United Kingdom Government. I reassure your Lordships that the…19 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Security RisksI reassure the noble Lord that the United Kingdom Government have been a core component of NATO, working closely with the organisation. We support efforts against disinformation,…19 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Security RisksThe noble Lord raises an interesting point. With the universal distraction of Covid-19, minds may very well be less focused on NATO and more focused on issues of health,…19 May 2020