Contributions
1,156 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSecurity VettingI am grateful to my noble friend and I think we are all relieved to know that he has been through the process. It is a very intrusive and robust process, which is why it is right…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingIt is not just ambassadors; a number of public appointments are made under this process, and this is something that must be looked at. I do not know the answer to the noble…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingI have already been clear to the House that I trust the Prime Minister’s judgment. The noble Baroness is raising two quite separate things. On the first, the Prime Minister is…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingMy Lords, there have been times when the Prime Minister has said that he has had to act quickly, as when he sacked Peter Mandelson. I do not think any Member of this House raised…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingIt is hard to say what is in somebody’s mind when they make a judgment call. However, the Prime Minister has been very clear that he would not have made the appointment against…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingI agree that our diplomats around the world do an amazing job in difficult circumstances. Anyone who has had to contact our embassies at a time of trouble or difficulty abroad…20 Apr 2026HANSARDSecurity VettingYes, there is a difference, although the process undertaken by UKSV may be very similar. A summary is provided, but it is not a pass or fail. It will look at concerns, whether…20 Apr 2026HANSARDEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment BillMy Lords, I have it in command from His Majesty the King to acquaint the House that His Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the English Devolution and Community…15 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI am grateful to the noble Baroness, because there are two aspects to the energy issue. One is the security of supply and the other is the pricing. We have seen prices increase…14 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastThe noble Lord may have misunderstood the Prime Minister. He has been consistent in saying that British bases could be used for defensive action but not offensive action. The…14 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI am grateful to the noble Baroness for raising a number of important points. I cannot say more about proscription—she will understand why, as I have said it previously. The…14 Apr 2026HANSARDMinisterial Salaries (Amendment) BillThat the Bill be now read a second time.14 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastTo a large extent, I agree with my noble friend. Unless we have diplomacy and political engagement, we are not going to see a conclusion, but alongside that, we need logistical…14 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastMy noble friend is right: the Prime Minister has been consistent throughout this. Defensive action to protect the UK’s interests is vital, and that is the role that we will take.…14 Apr 2026HANSARDMinisterial Salaries (Amendment) BillMy Lords, the Ministerial Salaries (Amendment) Bill is a short but important piece of legislation, which has come to us unamended from the other place. It seeks to amend the…14 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI am grateful to the noble Lord. He is right that a monumental and historic meeting is taking place as we speak, and I commend all those who took part to make it happen, because…14 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastMy Lords, I listened to both noble Lords’ speeches. We ended on one note and started on another. It was the appropriate place to end, as the noble Lord, Lord Purvis, did, on the…14 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastWe will fully co-operate with Pakistan and give it support with the valuable work that it is doing. There are different strands of discussion going on in different areas. It was…14 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastI am grateful to the right reverend Prelate. Across the House, whatever views are held, there is rightly unequivocal condemnation of the Iranian regime and the actions that it has…14 Apr 2026HANSARDMiddle EastThe noble Lord, Lord Purvis, is shouting across the Chamber. I will leave him to answer the noble Lord’s point on his views. It is right that we condemn violence, terrorism and…14 Apr 2026