Contributions
142 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDArmed 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)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 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)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 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)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 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 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)We heard in the Defence Committee that a lot of people currently serving in the armed forces have never even heard of the armed forces covenant; they do not know what it is. We…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)When I was a council leader, we signed up to the armed forces covenant scheme, which set some principles for councils. Can the Minister give any indication of how many councils up…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)I was a local armed forces champion. I was in local government for 22 years and ended up being council leader before entering this place. I can tell the Committee that, in…24 Mar 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)I totally agree with my hon. Friend. Published guidance can be interpreted differently from authority to authority. It is about how they put that into action. Local NHS services…24 Mar 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)Will the Minister outline what the minimum requirement is currently?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 2026HANSARDDefence Investment Plan6. What progress his Department has made towards the publication of the defence investment plan.16 Mar 2026HANSARDDefence Investment PlanWe are still waiting for the defence investment plan, and according to the strategic defence review, items should be deleted from that plan only on the advice of the national…16 Mar 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsT8. Last week, HMS Dragon left Portsmouth bound for Cyprus, having been prepared for deployment inside six days. The Royal Navy says that preparation would normally have taken six…16 Mar 2026HANSARDPostal Delivery ServicesDoes the Minister agree that by being asked to focus on parcels over letters, and having overtime hours for deliveries restricted, many hard-working postal workers will feel that…12 Mar 2026