Contributions
385 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDOfficial Development Assistance: Bilateral AllocationsMy Lords, I declare an interest as an adviser to the aid and development contractor DAI. I am hosting an event in Parliament this evening looking at new and innovative ways to…16 Jun 2026 · 4d agoHANSARDDefence Investment PlanMy Lords, the Government have committed to increase defence spending to 3% by 2030 and to 3.5% by 2035. But what is required, and is chaotically missing, is a clear timeline that…16 Jun 2026 · 4d agoHANSARDRussian Shadow FleetMy Lords, the boarding of the “Smyrtos” was conducted speedily, efficiently and without any casualties. It is a real credit to our Armed Forces. We all agree that it was a very…16 Jun 2026 · 4d agoHANSARDDefence Investment PlanMy Lords, the PM has promised that the DIP will be delivered before the July NATO summit—it is already a year late. All we get are promises and rhetoric, and also the threat of…15 Jun 2026 · 5d agoHANSARDMindanao EarthquakeMy Lords, I was also involved in a small way in the Bangsamoro project; I have not visited the region, but I have engaged with parliamentarians. This earthquake is a major setback…10 Jun 2026HANSARDCuba: Humanitarian SituationMy Lords, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has said about the blockade: “Such severe sanctions packages that target entire sectors of an economy and produce…09 Jun 2026HANSARDKing’s SpeechThere goes Liz Truss’s trusted adviser—I think we all know how that turned out. In 2024, Labour won 411 seats on 33.7% of the vote and a turnout of 59.7%. Last week, the results…14 May 2026HANSARDCivil Preparedness for WarMy Lords, I echo the gratitude that everybody has expressed to the noble Baroness, Lady Harris, for this debate. The interest in it suggests that we need more time, and I suggest…20 Apr 2026HANSARDStrategic Defence Review: FundingMy Lords, first, is the delay in the defence investment plan partly due to the Government having to make cuts to existing programmes to provide for programmes that meet new and…16 Apr 2026HANSARDZimbabwe: ConstitutionMy Lords, ZANU-PF has justified extending the term of the president, and giving him a third term, on the grounds that he is “doing a good job”. It has also said that not having…15 Apr 2026HANSARDAntisemitism in International Human Rights BodiesMy Lords, it is disturbing that Jewish individuals and communities feel themselves vulnerable to attacks, threats, criticisms and abuse. It is absolutely right, especially if it…26 Mar 2026HANSARDFormer Prime Minister Imran KhanMy Lord, I concur with everybody and congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Alexander, on securing this debate, which is clearly timely. I want to address the specifics first.…26 Mar 2026HANSARDMedia Freedom CoalitionMy Lords, we all need to value the bravery and independence of journalists who operate in really difficult situations and who need the support of the coalition and Governments.…25 Mar 2026HANSARDStrait of HormuzMy Lords, there are ships still getting through the Strait of Hormuz, but they are of course friends of Iran, which possibly includes China and Russia. I would argue that Russia’s…18 Mar 2026HANSARDTaiwanMy Lords, Taiwan has built an impressive democracy over the past 20 years and set up its own foundation for democracy along the lines of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy,…04 Mar 2026HANSARDDefence Industrial Strategy 2025: Economic Growth and Job CreationMy Lords—03 Mar 2026HANSARDDefence Industrial Strategy 2025: Economic Growth and Job CreationMy Lords, of course we welcome the decision to award the helicopter contracts for Yeovil, which the local MP, Adam Dance, has been campaigning for, and we are glad that it has…03 Mar 2026HANSARDSocial Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Carer’s Assistance) (Consequential Modifications) Order 2026May I seek some clarification? It occurs to me that this benefit is in two parts: the transfer of the benefit, which is the same across the UK; and the additional bit, which is…28 Jan 2026HANSARDSocial Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Carer’s Assistance) (Consequential Modifications) Order 2026My Lords, I thank the Minister for her introduction. I have one or two questions about both the general process of transferring social security to Scotland and its implications,…28 Jan 2026HANSARDRoyal Navy: Nuclear SubmarinesMy Lords, can the Minister say how many of these submarines are operational at any one time? Many have been out of service quite frequently. Given the constraints, are we sure…15 Jan 2026