Contributions
3,506 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCOP 29My Lords, I welcome both the tone and substance of the Statement. Indeed, I recall the £11.6 billion commitment made by the Conservative Government—because I made it myself at the…28 Nov 2024HANSARDInternational Aid Workers: Israel and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesMy Lords, it is very clear that representations are not enough; direct engagement is required with both the Government of Israel and the Governments of Egypt and Jordan. First,…26 Nov 2024HANSARDCounter-Extremism StrategyMy Lords, as a former Minister for Countering Extremism at the Home Office and subsequently at the FCDO, I wrestled with the issue of co-ordination between those two departments…20 Nov 2024HANSARDJailing of Hong Kong Pro-democracy ActivistsMy Lords, I am saddened by the Minister’s response, because she will recall that the previous Government took a very robust stance when it came to the issues of human rights,…20 Nov 2024HANSARDWomen, Peace and Security Bill [HL]My Lords, I welcome the return of this Bill—the sequel. Let us hope that it does not need a trilogy. I hope that the Bill will carry the full support of your Lordships’ House,…15 Nov 2024HANSARDJournalists Detained or Killed OverseasMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for her Question. We in the previous Government were very much focused on this; can the Minister reassure us about the focus of this…13 Nov 2024HANSARDSharia-compliant Student FinanceMy Lords, in welcoming the continuation of the initiative of the previous Government, it is also important that the principle of takaful, which is inherent in Islamic finance, is…13 Nov 2024HANSARDInternational EngagementsMy Lords, perhaps there is a typo in the Statement. The first sentence refers to reconnecting Britain. From my seven years as Minister, I recall us being pretty well connected and…31 Oct 2024HANSARDInternational EngagementsIf we have time, I will ask a question based on that final point. The previous Government invested a great deal, and both the noble Lords, Lord Collins and Lord Purvis, supported…31 Oct 2024HANSARDChina: Human Rights and SanctionsMy Lords, the United Kingdom consistently led on the situation of the Uighurs in Xinjiang. Last year, at the UN Third Committee and subsequently at the Human Rights Council, 51…29 Oct 2024HANSARDMiddle EastMy Lords, as the Minister will be aware, the previous Government, when faced with challenges on land crossings, made sure that we worked with other partners on land, of course,…29 Oct 2024HANSARDSouth Asia: Minority Faith CommunitiesTo ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the situation of minority faith communities across South Asia, and the role of the United Kingdom in safeguarding…28 Oct 2024HANSARDSouth Asia: Minority Faith CommunitiesMy Lords, I rise to bring to the House’s attention the extremely pressing issue of the treatment of religious minorities across south Asia. I am grateful to all noble Lords who…28 Oct 2024HANSARDUkraineMy Lords, I welcome this important and timely debate to demonstrate, once again, the United Kingdom’s steadfast support for Ukraine. I warmly welcome the tone and substance of the…25 Oct 2024HANSARDClimate AgendaMy Lords, I thank my noble friend Lord Lilley for securing this important debate and for his insightful introduction. Climate change is real and a living reality for many across…24 Oct 2024HANSARDSt Helena: UK ImmigrationMy Lords, I agree with the Minister that Diego Garcia is not an appropriate place to house migrants; indeed, there were returns of Sri Lankans to Sri Lanka. But under the…22 Oct 2024HANSARDGaza and LebanonMy Lords, what assessment have His Majesty’s Government made of the important role that British troops have over many years continued to play in training the Lebanese army in…16 Oct 2024HANSARDAfghan Special Forces Relocation ReviewMy Lords, I welcome this review and pay tribute to my ex-right honourable friend James Heappey for initiating it. The FCDO and the MoD worked very closely together with the Home…15 Oct 2024HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean Territory: NegotiationsMy Lords, on rushing ministerial decisions, when I was first appointed to the Foreign Office in 2017, as the noble Lord, Lord McDonald, will recall, my first meeting was on BIOT,…09 Oct 2024HANSARDAnniversary of 7 October Attacks: Middle EastMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for the Statement and all noble Lords who have spoken. There is one important fact which I hope the noble Baroness can focus on. When the…08 Oct 2024