Contributions
1,320 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Strength of the UK’s Armed ForcesI beg to move, That this House notes the Prime Minister’s 2019 election pledge that his Government would not cut the Armed Services in any form; further notes with concern the…14 Apr 2021HANSARD Strength of the UK’s Armed ForcesSadly we are nowhere near another election at this point. We are at this stage in the parliamentary cycle with these plans on the table, and our interest is in the Government…14 Apr 2021HANSARD Strength of the UK’s Armed ForcesI will give way one more time, but then—conscious that nearly 40 Back-Bench Members wish to speak—I will make some progress.14 Apr 2021HANSARDDefence and Security Industrial StrategyOn this day, when we mark a full year since the country first went into lockdown, may I use this opportunity to pay tribute to the men and women of the armed forces, who have done…23 Mar 2021HANSARD Integrated Review: Defence Command PaperI thank the Secretary of State for an advance copy of his statement and an advance copy of the White Paper a little earlier, although I believe, Mr Speaker, that the House will…22 Mar 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsOn a point of order, Mr Speaker. The ministerial code is clear that “When Parliament is in session, the most important announcements of Government policy should be made in the…15 Mar 2021HANSARDCyber WarfareMay I, on behalf of the official Opposition, offer my tribute to the service of Sergeant Gavin Hillier and say to his family, his friends and his comrades that our condolences are…15 Mar 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsWhy are Britain’s full-time armed forces still 10,000 short of the numbers that the last defence review, in 2015, said were needed to meet the threats and keep the country safe,…15 Mar 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe Secretary of State may want to check the numbers. I was talking about the full-time armed forces, not the full-time Army numbers. He has rightly said before that our forces…15 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces BillMy right hon. Friend is right. He mentions teeth, and I will come to that in a moment. Members on both sides of the House and the Select Committee can help the Minister with his…08 Feb 2021HANSARDArmed Forces BillThat is not an explanation of why; that is an explanation of what, and the protocol is about the what, not the why. The Government are missing the opportunity to improve the…08 Feb 2021HANSARDArmed Forces BillI join the Minister in his tribute and thanks to the men and women of our armed forces—those deployed to standing commitments, from Cyprus to the Falklands; those serving as part…08 Feb 2021HANSARDArmed Forces BillMy right hon. Friend is right, of course. I want to stress, to the extent that I can, the cross-party, long-term and long-run support for many of these provisions. He is right…08 Feb 2021HANSARDArmed Forces BillI welcome the hon. Gentleman’s interest in this. I think there is potential, as he indicates, for cross- party support for doing more than is currently in the Bill on the…08 Feb 2021HANSARDArmed Forces BillIf the Minister wants to do so now, I will happily give way.08 Feb 2021HANSARDDefence EquipmentThe extra funding is welcome and promises an overdue upgrade of Britain’s defence and defence industry. The Secretary of State talks about the rise in capital funding but not the…01 Feb 2021HANSARDDefence EquipmentI appreciate the Defence Secretary wanting to downplay the real difficulties he faces, but we were told by his predecessor in 2012 that the black hole has “been eliminated and the…01 Feb 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe Secretary of State mentions nuclear proliferation in relation to Iran, but I am disappointed that he makes no mention of New START—strategic arms reduction treaty—which…01 Feb 2021HANSARD Covid-19 Response: Defence SupportI thank the Secretary of State for giving me advance sight of his statement and I welcome this direct update to the House. This is a chance for us all to thank and pay tribute to…12 Jan 2021HANSARD UN Mission in Mali: Armed Forces DeploymentI thank the Minister for advance sight of his statement. It was good to have the written statement last Thursday, as troops began to arrive in Mali; it is better still to have his…09 Dec 2020