Contributions
1,161 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDefence: British SteelMy Lords, the industrial strategy challenge fund, which I mentioned earlier, is there to help industry drive innovation in its manufacturing processes. As I also mentioned, we…30 Apr 2019HANSARDDefence: British SteelMy Lords, I am afraid I cannot entirely agree with my noble friend. It is undoubtedly true that the Armed Forces benefit from the UK acquiring military capability from an open…30 Apr 2019HANSARDDefence: British SteelMy Lords, looking at recent warship procurement programmes, it is generally true to say that steel has been sourced from abroad in cases where UK steel suppliers have not been…30 Apr 2019HANSARDDefence: British SteelThe noble Lord is absolutely right to point out that the UK steel industry has faced major challenges over the past three to four years, in particular from international…30 Apr 2019HANSARDUpland FarmingMy Lords, I am sure we can hear from the noble Lord, Lord Cunningham, but it is the turn of the Liberal Democrats.04 Apr 2019HANSARDNATOMy Lords, this week marks 70 years since 12 nations put their signatures to the North Atlantic Treaty and agreed that an attack on one was an attack on all. It is a privilege for…02 Apr 2019HANSARDNATOI am grateful to the noble Lord for his comments but am sure that no one listening to his speech will have overlooked a powerful point he made about government messaging in…02 Apr 2019HANSARDNATOThat this House takes note of the seventieth anniversary of the founding of NATO and its continuing role in the United Kingdom’s defence and security.02 Apr 2019HANSARDNATOI very much agree. We find the concept of EU or European strategic autonomy problematic if, as it appears to be, it drives an EU-exclusive or enclosed, institutionalised approach…02 Apr 2019HANSARDNATOMy Lords, this has been a fascinating, wide-ranging and constructive debate, and I have been very firmly struck by the support which our great NATO alliance commands in your…02 Apr 2019HANSARDAircraft Carrier Task ForceThe noble and gallant Lord is absolutely right. Of course the number of platforms matters, but I would say to noble Lords, look not only at the number of warships; look also at…13 Mar 2019HANSARDAircraft Carrier Task ForceThe noble Lord, with his immense experience, is almost certainly right about the kinds of deployment that we will see the carrier perform. The first operational deployment is…13 Mar 2019HANSARDAircraft Carrier Task ForceMy noble friend is absolutely right. We do not comment in detail on operational matters.13 Mar 2019HANSARDAircraft Carrier Task ForceThere is a great deal of interest on the part of our European allies, in particular, in working more closely with the Royal Navy once the carriers come into service. The carriers…13 Mar 2019HANSARDAircraft Carrier Task ForceMy Lords, the United Kingdom carrier strike group will achieve initial operating capability in December 2020 and deploy in 2021. The size and composition of that group is set by…13 Mar 2019HANSARDAircraft Carrier Task ForceMy Lords, we will always have a sovereign task group capability. As I said, the carriers will operate as part of a maritime task group, which will be tailored to meet the required…13 Mar 2019HANSARDAircraft Carrier Task ForceMy Lords, this is not about sabre-rattling. Indeed, it is not about antagonising China in any way. My right honourable friend the Defence Secretary announced that the first…13 Mar 2019HANSARDRoyal Navy: Type 31e FrigatesMy Lords, the Type 26 is a high-end specification, anti-submarine warfare frigate; not unnaturally, that specification makes it expensive. The Type 31e is an adaptable, general…06 Mar 2019HANSARDRoyal Navy: Type 31e FrigatesThe noble Baroness is quite right: in April, the forecast cost of the equipment plan exceeded the allocated budget of £7 billion over 10 years, which is the central estimate.…06 Mar 2019HANSARDRoyal Navy: Type 31e FrigatesMy noble friend draws attention to something very encouraging. The UK shipbuilding sector has been able to compete in the world market for very high-end specification frigates—it…06 Mar 2019