Contributions
1,819 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDefenceAlthough it is clear that the Houthi attacks have not ended, as the shadow Defence Secretary said, there does appear to have been a difference in the cadence. The mass attacks…06 Feb 2024HANSARDDefenceIt is perhaps relevant that there has been no attack using multiple different weapons at the same time, which we saw, for example, on 9 January.06 Feb 2024HANSARDDefenceThe mass attacks that we saw on 9 January , for example, have not been repeated, partly because the Houthis’ ability has been degraded.06 Feb 2024HANSARDDefenceThe right hon. Gentleman asked whether the action was successful, and rightly pointed out that what we are seeing is rather more sporadic: the attacks, including on HMS Diamond…06 Feb 2024HANSARDSituation in the Red SeaThe United Kingdom Government always want international humanitarian law to be adhered to, and we make that point repeatedly to every side in this conflict. I think the hon.…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSituation in the Red SeaThe right hon. Gentleman is right about the importance of trade. Some 90% of our goods come to this country via the sea, so it really matters to the United Kingdom, but it matters…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSituation in the Red SeaMy hon. Friend asks a good question that has not yet been asked. The answer is yes. We are looking carefully, and the locations chosen on this occasion were indeed from a…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSituation in the Red SeaI think the clock is running down for the Houthis, in as much as their ability is being degraded, as my right hon. Friend points out—they do not have the eyes and ears from the…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSituation in the Red SeaThis is the third time that we have come to Parliament and made a statement—I know that the hon. Lady has made other contributions to the debate—so we do feel that Parliament is…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSituation in the Red SeaI use my own language, but it is disgraceful to see people go out and support those who are indiscriminately firing at merchant ships—that is absolutely appalling. I will not…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSituation in the Red SeaMy right hon. Friend makes the excellent point that Iran is behind all this. Iran is behind Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and the IRGC-aligned militia that we have seen attack not…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSituation in the Red SeaThe right hon. Gentleman will be aware, I hope, that the UK and the US work very closely on this. I was in the States last week. I met Blinken, Lloyd Austin and others to discuss…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSituation in the Red SeaThis issue is repeatedly raised in the House and the hon. Lady will know, as she will have heard the responses many times before, that we do not routinely comment on proscription.…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSituation in the Red SeaI know that my right hon. Friend takes a huge interest in this matter, and he will be interested to hear that on Friday I was on HMS Somerset in Devonport, where they are fitting…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSituation in the Red SeaOn a wider armed forces and MOD note, we have £288.6 billion for equipment over the next 10 years. My right hon. Friend is absolutely right that that has to be matched with the…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSituation in the Red SeaThe right hon. Gentleman will have heard my answer a moment ago. I know that he wants me to go into further detail, but I am unable to do that at the Dispatch Box right now. We…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSituation in the Red SeaMy hon. Friend rightly points out that the US has taken some action, although it is not quite the same as our proscription—what it has done in this case with the Houthis is sort…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSituation in the Red SeaThe Home Secretary continuously keeps this matter under review, and meets police chiefs to ensure that they have the powers to combat what my hon. Friend rightly describes as…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSituation in the Red SeaWith permission, I will make a statement on the recent response to Houthi aggression in the Red sea. Freedom of navigation has been a cornerstone of civilisation since time…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSituation in the Red SeaFirst, I welcome the right hon. Gentleman’s support for this action. He asked a series of questions, which I will rattle through. Were the actions effective? Yes, they hit the…05 Feb 2024