Contributions
1,991 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaOn sanctions, the hon. Gentleman will understand that the balance of opinion was against taking action now, but we will keep the issue under review.15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaThe hon. Gentleman is not right to describe the UK’s position in that way. We worked with our EU partners and came up with a substantive set of conclusions that we could all agree.15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaI share the hon. Lady’s concern about the humanitarian and security situation and the message we send to the people we partner and ally with. It is important they know that the UK…15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaAs is often the case, the hon. Gentleman is confusing bluster with sensible, concerted action in the region. [Interruption.] Let me answer the two questions. On arms, we have…15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaI share many of the concerns that the hon. Lady expressed. On the UK position, clearly within the EU there are different views on precisely what action should be taken. We joined…15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaThe hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: we should be worried about not just the humanitarian and security situation on the ground, but the negative message that we are sending to…15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. If she looks at the Foreign Affairs Council conclusions from Monday, she will see that the EU gave a very clear message on that. It is a…15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaI cannot verify that precise figure, I am afraid—I would want to check the best information that we have. We are working with our international partners. We have given a very…15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaThe concerns relating to a no-fly zone are partly principled and logistical, but they are also about the practicality of enforcing it on the ground. We have made it clear that we…15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaAt the NATO Parliamentary Assembly on Saturday, I made the point very clearly that that is not the kind of language we expect from a NATO ally. I have explained the position on…15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaThe hon. Lady makes a powerful point, which is that we need to reinforce our international efforts to have a genuinely international approach to the refugee crisis and an…15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaMy hon. Friend would not expect me to comment on intelligence matters, but what I can say is that we understand Turkey’s broader concern in relation to the PKK. The point I was…15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaI thank my hon. Friend. He is right to raise that concern about foreign fighters. We have made it clear to our US partners, and I have made it clear to the Foreign Minister of…15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaI thank the hon. Gentleman. I will of course take on board his concerns. I can see that they are deeply held and expressed with genuine and sincere passion. I have already…15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaWe make clear our views on all these issues right across the range, even when we disagree, to all our partners, as I have made clear in relation to Turkey. The same applies with…15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaWe are absolutely clear that we condemn Turkey’s military intervention, as we did with our EU partners.15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaI thank my hon. Friend for all the work that her constituents do and their generosity, and I thank the charitable organisations that work in her constituency. We cannot expect…15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaI pay tribute to my right hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood) and thank him for raising this issue in the House. I can tell him, and all Members, that on 9…15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaI will answer the hon. Gentleman’s question, if he is willing to listen. It is only right that we recognise some of Turkey’s legitimate concerns in relation to the 3.6 million…15 Oct 2019HANSARDTurkish Incursion into Northern SyriaI think it quite wrong to suggest that the UK Government have been complicit in this. The hon. Gentleman should not let Turkey off the hook for its responsibility; the focus…15 Oct 2019