Contributions
1,690 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Second sitting)Will the hon. Gentleman give way?31 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Second sitting)I thank the hon. Gentleman for giving way, but say to him that that did not stop the Conservative party in 2009 and the 2010 general election, when it proposed a larger Army and…31 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Second sitting)New clause 7 is designed to get a commitment on looking at Northern Ireland veterans. I was very disappointed that the Government voted down our proposal for the Committee to take…31 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Second sitting)First, may I put on the record for the Minister that my constituency is not Darlington North but North Durham, which I am proud to have represented for the past 20 years? Can I…31 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Second sitting)I rise to support this new clause because, as my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth South has outlined, promises have been broken not just by this Government but since 2010. In…31 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Second sitting)Will the Minister give way?31 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Second sitting)The Minister is making various claims about the Armed Forces Pay Review Body, and he is correct that it does great work in assessing the different effects of armed forces life,…31 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Second sitting)I accept that the Minister might accept the pay review body’s recommendations, but he does not implement them. In 2013 the Government refused to reappoint Professor Alasdair Smith…31 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Second sitting)My experience, like the Minister’s, is that there is support within the military for individuals; I think I was the one who changed the policy around zero tolerance of drug use.…31 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Second sitting)My hon. Friend is talking about veterans, but does he agree that there is a big issue with drug and alcohol misuse in the services? The services’ main response is usually to…31 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)It is a complaint to the Chair, asking the Minister to slow down; he is rabbiting on at such a rapid rate of knots that I cannot hear a word.25 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)If he knew what he was talking about, it might help, Chair. Question put and agreed to. Clause 11 accordingly ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 12 Power of commanding…25 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)Chair, can I make a suggestion to help the Minister? If he does not know the answer to that question now, could he possibly write to Committee members to answer the points that I…25 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)It’s not for you but for the Chair to decide that.25 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)No—could I have an answer?25 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)It is not for the Clerks to do that.25 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)I don’t think it has.25 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)The issue around civilians, in terms of the jurisdiction and families being able to complain. I know you’re just reading the notes out, but it might be worthwhile just thinking,…25 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)With the greatest of respect, they haven’t.25 Mar 2021HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (First sitting)Chair, wait a minute. I asked some questions —I’d expect the Minister to reply to at least some of them.25 Mar 2021