Contributions
1,161 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDefence: ExpenditureMy Lords, it is undoubtedly true that the spending review later this year will be an important event for defence. It will build on the modernising defence programme, which will…17 Jul 2019HANSARDDefence: ExpenditureI think we can take some reassurance from the fact that the last Budget settlement gave defence a substantial boost, enabling us to say with confidence that we do not have to make…17 Jul 2019HANSARDDefence: ExpenditureMy Lords, no, I do not think it has undermined the partnership. It is true that defence expenditure has declined as a proportion of GDP since the 1980s, but we have seen total…17 Jul 2019HANSARDRoyal Navy: FrigatesMy Lords, I do not agree. As I said, we want the first ship in 2023, with five ships delivered at the end of 2028, and we are still setting industry the target of an average…11 Jul 2019HANSARDRoyal Navy: FrigatesMy Lords, I understand why the noble Lord should ask that question, but it is hypothetical. At the moment, we think we have the right assets in the right places but, as I said, we…11 Jul 2019HANSARDRoyal Navy: FrigatesMy Lords, the Government remain committed to a surface fleet of at least 19 frigates and destroyers. The Royal Navy will have the ships it requires to fulfil its defence and…11 Jul 2019HANSARDRoyal Navy: FrigatesMy Lords, I take very seriously the noble Lord’s concerns on this issue. As I have said on earlier occasions, we want the first Type 31e in 2023, with five ships delivered by the…11 Jul 2019HANSARDRoyal Navy: FrigatesMy Lords, the Government will never give up our sovereign control of our Armed Forces. I can give my noble friend that absolute assurance. If he found any ambiguity in my Answer,…11 Jul 2019HANSARDRoyal Navy: FrigatesMy Lords, the Navy has already reduced the number of senior officers across the piece, including its admirals. We believe we have an appropriate number of senior officers to take…11 Jul 2019HANSARDRoyal Navy: FrigatesAs I am sure my noble friend would expect, we keep our fleet deployments under constant review to adapt to evolving security situations around the world. That is the case with the…11 Jul 2019HANSARDD-day MemorialMy Lords, I have sympathy with the spirit of the noble Lord’s question but of course we now have the NATO alliance, which represents the values of all western nations. Although we…09 Jul 2019HANSARDD-day MemorialMy Lords, my understanding from the trust is that that is exactly its intention. The overwhelming majority of the 22,442 names on the memorial will be British, but troops of 38…09 Jul 2019HANSARDD-day MemorialMy Lords, I agree fully with the noble Lord that the Royal Navy plays a vital role in the defence of the nation and of our interests around the world. As he will be aware, the…09 Jul 2019HANSARDD-day MemorialMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Ricketts, and his fellow trustees, who include the noble Lords, Lord Dannatt and Lord Janvrin, deserve great credit for the way in which they are…09 Jul 2019HANSARDD-day MemorialMy Lords, my noble friend makes a very constructive suggestion that I will take back to my department.09 Jul 2019HANSARDD-day MemorialMy Lords, my noble friend is right to acknowledge the gallant and important role played by the Polish 1st Armoured Division under General Maczek, and the sacrifices that it made…09 Jul 2019HANSARDD-day MemorialMy Lords, the Ministry of Defence was extremely pleased to provide the inaugural event for the British Normandy memorial at Ver-sur-Mer during the commemorations for the 75th…09 Jul 2019HANSARDParliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) BillIt will be best if I write to the noble Lord on that point and copy in all noble Lords who have spoken so that everyone is clear about the extent to which this issue has been…08 Jul 2019HANSARDParliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) BillMy Lords, I thank all noble Lords who contributed to this high-quality and thoughtful debate. As my noble friend the Leader remarked, the Bill has been a long time coming—too…08 Jul 2019HANSARDParliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) BillAll I can say is that those issues will be considered as part of the plan. I do not have a ready-made answer for the noble Lord on either question, but I would be the first to…08 Jul 2019