Contributions
1,161 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCounter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill15 Jan 2019HANSARDCounter-Terrorism and Border Security BillI am grateful to the most reverend Primate. Again, we come down to the words “reasonable belief”. If it is reasonable to believe that somebody is about to die within the six-month…15 Jan 2019HANSARDIslamophobiaMy Lords, we have not yet heard from the Cross Benches.14 Jan 2019HANSARDFolic AcidMy Lords, we have had two supplementary questions from the Labour Benches and only one from the Conservative Benches, so would my noble friend like to continue?09 Jan 2019HANSARDArmy: Divisional Manoeuvre and Deployment TrainingMy Lords, the press coverage on this has been somewhat overdramatised. A person can be medically downgraded for a whole variety of reasons, most of which are minor and temporary…08 Jan 2019HANSARDArmy: Divisional Manoeuvre and Deployment TrainingMy noble friend makes an extremely important point, and we in the Ministry of Defence are always very conscious of the point he has stressed. But it is also important for all…08 Jan 2019HANSARDArmy: Divisional Manoeuvre and Deployment TrainingMy Lords, yes, the Army is already prepared to deliver a division, albeit at best effort. As I have just said, it is working towards its Joint Force 2025 structures that will…08 Jan 2019HANSARDArmy: Divisional Manoeuvre and Deployment TrainingWith respect to the noble Lord, in effect it has done so. Exercise Saif Sareea in Oman, for example, which the noble Lord will be aware of, demonstrated very capably the Army’s…08 Jan 2019HANSARDArmy: Divisional Manoeuvre and Deployment TrainingMy Lords, the responsibility for Army recruitment lies chiefly with the Army itself in conjunction with Capita, with which it has a partnership agreement. I completely accept that…08 Jan 2019HANSARDRAF: Operational Conversion UnitMy Lords, the Lightning operational conversion unit is due to form as 207 Squadron and return to the UK in July 2019. Initially the squadron will comprise five aircraft. The…08 Jan 2019HANSARDArmy: Divisional Manoeuvre and Deployment TrainingMy Lords, the Army has a substantial and sophisticated exercise programme in place to ensure that it is trained and ready to operate at the divisional level. This includes…08 Jan 2019HANSARDRAF: Operational Conversion UnitI cannot be exact on that. We have either contracted for or have letters of intent for 48 aircraft, as I said earlier. Towards the end of that delivery schedule, clearly, we will…08 Jan 2019HANSARDRAF: Operational Conversion UnitYes, I can give the noble Lord that assurance. The potential opening of new bases in two particular parts of the world is certainly something we are looking at. But I assure the…08 Jan 2019HANSARDRAF: Operational Conversion UnitMy Lords, the first tranche of 48 aircraft will be the F35B, which is capable, as the noble Lord knows, of operating from land and the “Queen Elizabeth” class aircraft carriers.…08 Jan 2019HANSARDRAF: Operational Conversion UnitMy noble friend is absolutely right, and we are encouraged by the response we have had to the publication of the National Shipbuilding Strategy , which should ensure the…08 Jan 2019HANSARDRAF: Operational Conversion UnitMy Lords, while we recognise the considerable cost of the carriers, we should reflect also upon their utility and considerable benefit in enabling us to project power in a way we…08 Jan 2019HANSARDRAF: Operational Conversion UnitMy Lords, there is not a black hole in the equipment budget, and that statement can be underlined when it comes to the F35B. It is too early for me to give the noble Lord a…08 Jan 2019HANSARDRAF: Operational Conversion UnitMy Lords, we recognise the utility of Belize as a training area, and it is indeed one of the options we are looking at.08 Jan 2019HANSARDRAF: Operational Conversion UnitObviously, before contracts are signed I cannot give an assurance about the safeguards that might be in those contracts. However, I can tell my noble friend some encouraging news,…08 Jan 2019HANSARDRAF: Operational Conversion UnitWith regard to whether the critical path is aircraft or indeed pilots, we clearly need both, and we are on track and within budget to deliver both in accordance with the planned…08 Jan 2019