Contributions
1,320 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenI think I have already laid out to the House why these reports are not published: a lot are based on confidential information, which it would not be in the national interest for…13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenThe revised methodology takes into account all the decisions by the Court of Appeal. Were these historic incidents part of a pattern? Even if we could not answer in every…13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenI am not aware of there being any conflict at the moment in that space, but clearly we look at these matters as part of the criteria against which we assess export licences.13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenMy hon. Friend also has great expertise in this area, particularly in relation to military operations. What may or may not be happening in Yemen is of course taken into account in…13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenWe have, of course, looked at the assessment of the previous incidents, and I have already described how those incidents must be assessed as having taken place, even if this is…13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenThe Department for International Trade, the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office work very closely together, and I do not think it says…13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenWe publish quarterly the list of licences granted. I would suggest that the hon. Member look at that list.13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenI thank the right hon. Lady for her questions, and start by saying that we absolutely share her concern about the humanitarian tragedy in Yemen, which is why the UK is actively…13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenThe Secretary of State has retaken the licensing decisions, as required by the Court of Appeal. All existing and new applications for Saudi Arabia for possible use in the conflict…13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenI pay tribute to my right hon. Friend for his long time as Secretary of State for International Development and the exceptionally good work that he did over a considerable time,…13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenFirst, I strongly refute the allegation that the UK Government are not a strong voice for good in the world. That is absolutely our mission right the way across the Government.…13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenThe incidents or the allegations are not being dismissed, but we are clear that we need to follow a sensible set of criteria and that is why we have the consolidated criteria in…13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenI thank my hon. Friend for that question. She is absolutely right. Licences can be reviewed or revoked in line with the consolidated criteria. That is the basis on which arms…13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenNo, it is not the case. I think the hon. Gentleman refers in his question to the Secretary of State apologising to the House, and indeed to the Court, for the inadvertent breaches…13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenI thank my hon. Friend for that question. It was vital that the Government got this right first time with a comprehensive assessment. The Court judgment last year was a very…13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenThe process that is with me is to use the consolidated criteria. That is why we have developed a revised methodology in respect of all the allegations which it is assessed are…13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenIt is very important that we have a broad and deep relationship covering matters such as trade, defence, security, energy and regional issues. It is important that the UK…13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenI am not going to comment on China, because I think it is not quite within the scope of the urgent question. At all times, the UK campaigns actively in its foreign policy for the…13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenYes, I can. We work very closely with colleagues in the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development to make sure we…13 Jul 2020HANSARDSale of Arms: War in YemenOur Department always co-operates with Select Committees. If the hon. Gentleman’s point is that that Committee should follow a particular course, he needs to speak to its Chair,…13 Jul 2020