Contributions
3,506 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHong Kong: Pro-Democracy CampaignersMy Lords, while appreciating my noble friend’s sympathy for my position, I assure him that I have been persistent in my capacity as a Minister within FCDO and particularly in my…19 Apr 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Pro-Democracy CampaignersMy Lords, my noble and learned friend raises some important points about the people of Hong Kong. As he will have noted, we have taken specific steps to broaden the offer to…19 Apr 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Pro-Democracy CampaignersMy Lords, there is no more I can add to what I have already said, but I assure the noble Baroness that the plight of everyone in Hong Kong, including the young generation, is at…19 Apr 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Pro-Democracy CampaignersMy Lords, I note and of course accept that the noble Lord has raised this issue on a number of occasions. However, as I have said in answer to other questions, I cannot speculate…19 Apr 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Pro-Democracy CampaignersMy Lords, I assure the right reverend Prelate that we are looking very closely at the operation of the BNO scheme. No apparent issues have arisen. Many BNO holders also have dual…19 Apr 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Pro-Democracy CampaignersMy Lords, the noble Baroness will already have noted the co-ordination we have shown with our G7 partners and the support we have gained from them on the situation in Hong Kong.…19 Apr 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Pro-Democracy CampaignersMy Lords, I agree with the noble Baroness on the issue of the increasing number of convictions. At the end of last week, further action was taken by the Hong Kong authorities…19 Apr 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Pro-Democracy CampaignersMy Lords, I agree with my noble and learned friend. Freedom and human rights, including the right to protest, continue to be suppressed in Hong Kong. On the further actions we can…19 Apr 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Pro-Democracy CampaignersMy Lords, we consistently call out human rights abuses. It was this Government who introduced the global human rights sanctions—the Magnitsky sanctions regime—and this Government…19 Apr 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Pro-Democracy CampaignersMy Lords, we are clear that the Hong Kong authorities’ decision to target leading pro-democracy figures for prosecution is unacceptable and must stop. The right to peaceful…19 Apr 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Pro-Democracy CampaignersMy Lords, on the noble Baroness’s first point on asylum, as I said, I am proud that the United Kingdom continues to be a sanctuary for those seeking protection from persecution…19 Apr 2021HANSARDHong Kong: Pro-Democracy CampaignersMy Lords, I agree totally with the noble Lord on the issue of values. That is why, as I am sure he would acknowledge, we have led in statements and in consolidating and increasing…19 Apr 2021HANSARDNATO: Russia and UkraineMy Lords, we continue to play a pivotal role in the NATO alliance, to which we are strong contributors in both strategy and financing. That will continue to be the case. We are…15 Apr 2021HANSARDNATO: Russia and UkraineMy Lords, on the noble Lord’s second point, we have repeatedly stated our position on the issue of Nord Stream 2; while we ourselves do not welcome it, it is an issue and a…15 Apr 2021HANSARDNATO: Russia and UkraineMy Lords, the United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent, as well as working with our key allies, is reflective of the importance the United Kingdom attaches to the defence of Europe and…15 Apr 2021HANSARDNATO: Russia and UkraineI recognise the role my noble friend played in this respect in his previous role as Minister for the Armed Forces. UK military support for Ukraine, as he will be aware, covers…15 Apr 2021HANSARDNATO: Russia and UkraineMy Lords, I agree with the noble Lord, and that is why my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary has been engaging extensively with NATO allies. He was in Brussels only…15 Apr 2021HANSARDNATO: Russia and UkraineMy Lords, I agree with my noble friend’s second point in the sense that we continue to work with our NATO partners to ensure exactly that free operation in the Black Sea. On his…15 Apr 2021HANSARDNATO: Russia and UkraineMy Lords, the Minsk accords are very much alive, and we remain supportive of them. On Ukraine’s recognition of support from the United Kingdom, that is firmly acknowledged by…15 Apr 2021HANSARDNATO: Russia and UkraineMy Lords, I agree with my noble friend. We are doing exactly that through the NATO alliance. As I said in my original Answer, the Foreign Secretary has engaged directly with key…15 Apr 2021