Contributions
1,831 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEU Security Action for Europe ProgrammeAlongside our failure to get an agreement on the SAFE project, as the noble Lord, Lord Teveson, highlighted through his Question, there are numerous initiatives taking place and…20 Jul 2026HANSARDEU Security Action for Europe ProgrammeMy Lords, the Government entered SAFE negotiations in good faith, but will only enter into agreements that are in the national interest. While no SAFE agreement was reached, we…20 Jul 2026HANSARDEU Security Action for Europe ProgrammeOf course, we remain committed to co-operating where it is in the national interest to do so, as I said. The noble Lord is right to point out that it is in all our interests for…20 Jul 2026HANSARDEU Security Action for Europe ProgrammeOf course we want the growth of our own industry, and we want it to have the means to support our UK Armed Forces; that is really important. But our industry and our defence also…20 Jul 2026HANSARDEU Security Action for Europe ProgrammeI agree with the point made by the noble and gallant Lord. It was best illustrated when, soon after the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, I read in a newspaper that Ukraine had…20 Jul 2026HANSARDEU Security Action for Europe ProgrammeWell, I agree with the beginning and end of the noble Lord’s question. As he knows, we have had debate and discussion about the defence investment plan, and we will continue to do…20 Jul 2026HANSARDEU Security Action for Europe ProgrammeI say to my noble friend Lord West that there are discussions with a wide range of people. The confirmation of the GCAP within the DIP was a hugely significant event and a number…20 Jul 2026HANSARDEU Security Action for Europe ProgrammeI agree with that. The defence and security partnership signed in May 2025 between the EU and the UK was a significant step forward. There will be a further summit, as and when it…20 Jul 2026HANSARDStrait of Hormuz: Merchant ShippingThe noble Baroness makes an important point. We continue to speak to the Americans and discuss with them how we can see an operational and functioning ceasefire restored. The…20 Jul 2026HANSARDEU Security Action for Europe ProgrammeI can confirm that. Clearly, it is in all our interests that, alongside the collective agreements we seek, we also seek individual agreements, as the noble Baroness pointed out.…20 Jul 2026HANSARDStrait of Hormuz: Merchant ShippingMy Lords, I start by paying tribute to the US service personnel killed or injured in the region recently. All our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends. The…20 Jul 2026HANSARDStrait of Hormuz: Merchant ShippingI thank my noble friend for his question. His Majesty’s Government are doing all that they can to see the restoration of a functional ceasefire and to bring about a de-escalation…20 Jul 2026HANSARDStrait of Hormuz: Merchant ShippingThe RFA provides a crucial service for the Royal Navy and our operations across the region and the world. My noble friend is right to point out the importance of that crew. We…20 Jul 2026HANSARDStrait of Hormuz: Merchant ShippingThat is an interesting question. I will talk about the way in which the Royal Navy is developing. It used to be that the provision of a mine-hunting ship was the way in which…20 Jul 2026HANSARDStrait of Hormuz: Merchant ShippingWe have always said that any support that we have given to the Americans has been for defensive purposes. As the noble and learned Baroness will know, we have continually called…20 Jul 2026HANSARDStrait of Hormuz: Merchant ShippingI agree. The point we continue to make to our friends and allies in the region, and to the Americans, is that, in the end, dialogue, discussion and an agreement acceptable to all…20 Jul 2026HANSARDStrait of Hormuz: Merchant ShippingI can confirm that it has been government policy for a considerable period to restore aid, as and when the conditions allow, to 0.7%. There is nothing new in that. I heard what…20 Jul 2026HANSARDStrait of Hormuz: Merchant ShippingThe noble Lord makes an interesting and important point. The commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is an important restatement of the fundamental…20 Jul 2026HANSARDStrait of Hormuz: Merchant ShippingI do not often do this, but let me read the advice that I have had about UK bases involved in recent strikes, because I need to be clear that I am getting it right. The noble…20 Jul 2026HANSARDStrait of Hormuz: Merchant ShippingThe reassurance that I can give to the noble Baroness and to the people she knows is this. I can talk about the Ministry of Defence. Meetings have taken place across government,…20 Jul 2026