Contributions
909 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastThe hon. Lady is correct that a ceasefire is needed, as it is the way to assure the flow of aid that Gazans need. The precondition of that ceasefire is for Hamas to lay down their…29 Apr 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastWe are clear-eyed in our assessment of Hamas: we regard them as a terrorist organisation that has prosecuted an atrocity. We call on them to lay down their arms and to release the…29 Apr 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastThe Prime Minister and Government Ministers have regularly provided updates in Parliament on the recent role of the armed forces in the middle east through written and oral…29 Apr 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastA great deal of energy from Ministers and officials is going into the ongoing discussion about how to operationalise the greater flow rate of humanitarian aid going into Gaza, so…29 Apr 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastI am grateful to the Chair of the Select Committee, who speaks with characteristic expertise. He is absolutely right that it would be improper for me, as a Government Minister, to…29 Apr 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastThe right hon. Gentleman asks about the protection of civilians. We continue to make the point to our Israeli friends that they must seek to protect civilian lives, but of course…29 Apr 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastMy hon. Friend also asks a relevant question, and I can give him that assurance in relation to the deployment of RFA Cardigan Bay.29 Apr 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastI can, of course, give my hon. Friend that assurance. It is a highly sensitive subject, and if he would care to raise the case with me individually, we will do what we can to…29 Apr 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastI believe they do, yes.29 Apr 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastMy hon. Friend is absolutely right about that, and we should be grateful for the role played by the RAF. It is a reminder that the price of peace is eternal vigilance.29 Apr 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastMy hon. Friend is correct: we do need to increase that flow. What would be a game changer is opening the port of Ashdod, and we continue to make that point forcefully to our…29 Apr 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastI agree with the hon. Gentleman; he rightly says that putting in 2.5% of GDP by 2030 will provide that boost and ensure that we have the operational capability to achieve that…29 Apr 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastWe have one of the world’s toughest arms export regimes, of which we should be very proud.29 Apr 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastI wholeheartedly agree, and we should pay tribute to those who courageously played an active role in that defence of our collective security. Undoubtedly, British armed forces…29 Apr 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastMy right hon. and learned Friend makes a very good point.29 Apr 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastWe always make the point to our Israeli colleagues that the protection of civilian life is imperative. We acknowledge that Israel has an absolute right to self-defence, and we…29 Apr 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastWe continue to make the point that Hamas must lay down their arms and release the hostages. That is the precondition for peace.29 Apr 2024HANSARDUK Armed Forces in Middle EastMy right hon. Friend asks a very good question, and a huge amount of effort is going into this. We are energetically leaning into the prospect of a greater degree of aid flowing…29 Apr 2024HANSARDParliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: UK DelegationMy hon. Friend the Member for South Derbyshire (Mrs Wheeler) has been appointed as a full member of the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of…26 Mar 2024HANSARD Nagorno-Karabakh: Armenian RefugeesThe hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. We are pleased that we will be hosting the EPC in July; it is a very useful convening moment and a good opportunity for leaders from the…19 Mar 2024