Contributions
131 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDefence Investment PlanFirst of all, I would like to say what a great honour it was to attend Windsor castle on Friday to see the presentation of the new colours to the Royal Marines. It was an…10 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Billindicated assent .02 Jun 2026HANSARDArmed Forces BillIt was a pleasure to be a member of the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill, and it is an honour to speak on the Armed Forces Bill for a second time. It is to the…02 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsFollowing the recent challenges with deploying HMS Dragon to the middle east at short notice, will the defence readiness Bill, which was mentioned in the strategic defence review,…01 Jun 2026HANSARDChild Sexual Offender DataI know that everybody here, and the nearly 500 people from my constituency who signed this petition, will be struck by the gravity of the terrible crimes that are being committed…01 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsOne of my constituents in North Devon is a Royal Marines veteran who was just awarded over £2,700 in backdated universal credit, after the DWP failed to disregard his war pension…27 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Efford. New clause 3 would place a statutory duty on the Secretary of…16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)The new clause would create a deadline and shorten the timeframe. The Minister has just said that some complicated cases can take up to three months, but it is probably those…16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)I wish to press new clause 3 to a vote. Question put, That the clause be read a Second time.16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)I put it on record that I am a holder of a veterans railcard. Many of my constituents have veterans railcards and, with the cost of living crisis, they find it a great way to move…16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Sixth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Efford. Amendment 1 would introduce an exemption from recall to former service personnel who have been discharged due to…16 Apr 2026HANSARDStrategic Defence Review: FundingIn the words of Lord Robertson, we are underprepared, underinsured and under attack. We are not safe. Britain’s national security and safety is in peril. I have asked over six…15 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Fourth sitting)I beg to move amendment 6, in clause 12, page 29, line 6, at end insert— “115C Duty to refer sexual offences and domestic abuse to civilian police (1) This section applies where a…14 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Fourth sitting)The Minister mentions that there are 200 officers at one star and above. Does he have the facts on how many of those 200 one-stars do not know one another?14 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Fourth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Efford. Amendment 6 would introduce a requirement for the service police and the Defence Serious Crime Command to refer all…14 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Fourth sitting)I will withdraw the amendment, but I ask that the Minister takes on board the comments made by the hon. Member for Solihull West and Shirley in his powerful speech, so that this…14 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Fourth sitting)It is important that we take on board the evidence from our visits. Otherwise, what is the point of going on them? That point was brought up when we debated a previous amendment,…14 Apr 2026HANSARD North Atlantic Submarine ActivityBack in February, former Royal Navy officers and other expert witnesses warned the Defence Committee that although tapping an undersea cable is very difficult, they are vulnerable…13 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)I would like to draw the Committee’s attention to the Defence Committee report on the armed forces covenant, which is based on evidence from witnesses. It says: “As the current…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)It is nice to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Efford. Amendment 5 would add a new section to the armed forces covenant provisions that were introduced in the Armed Forces Act…24 Mar 2026