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1,831 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBoarding of Sanctioned VesselsWhat we are doing is trying to make sure that we get it right. Even if you increase the budget by £3 billion, £4 billion or £5 billion, there will be debate about the correct way…14 Jan 2026HANSARDUkraine and Wider Operational UpdateThe noble Lord made a series of very good points, and I could say that I agree with him about the need for all the things he said. I completely agree with him about the need for…12 Jan 2026HANSARDUkraine and Wider Operational UpdateFirst, I thank the noble Baronesses, Lady Goldie and Lady Smith, for their general support for what the Government have been doing, which, to be fair, carries on from the last…12 Jan 2026HANSARDUkraine and Wider Operational UpdateNo, I do not think we are. Conversations and discussions take place on how to bring about peace, but alongside those we continue to stand with Ukraine and arm it to defend itself…12 Jan 2026HANSARDUkraine and Wider Operational UpdateIt is important to recognise that warfare is changing, and that part of the battle now is understanding what is fake news and what is happening in reality. In every area of life,…12 Jan 2026HANSARDUkraine and Wider Operational UpdateI have no knowledge at all of any commitment by Russia regarding the points the noble Lord made. On the American commitment to the discussions and the declaration of intent in…12 Jan 2026HANSARDUkraine and Wider Operational UpdateThere will be as wide a debate as possible. Some of it will not be debated on the Floor of the House necessarily—for example, rules of engagement and so on. Having said that, let…12 Jan 2026HANSARDUkraine and Wider Operational UpdateThat is an important question. I join the noble Lord in congratulating the Ukrainian armed forces, and acknowledge the stoicism and bravery of the Ukrainian people for resisting…12 Jan 2026HANSARDUkraine and Wider Operational UpdateIt is a hypothetical situation. It goes back to the point I was trying to make in response to the noble Baroness, Lady Goldie. There is a need for a national conversation about…12 Jan 2026HANSARDUkraine and Wider Operational UpdateI do not want to disappoint the noble Lord but I will not be a hostage to fortune and say that it will be in a few weeks, or when it will be. All I can say is that we are working…12 Jan 2026HANSARDUkraine and Wider Operational UpdateThe whole point of us saying that we are willing to deploy troops to Ukraine, with France and perhaps others, is precisely to ensure that any peace agreement arrived at is…12 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI think people want answers, and investigation into many of the things that have taken place. I do not think an amnesty is the right way forward to achieve that.06 Jan 2026HANSARDDefence SpendingThe noble and gallant Lord will know the Government’s position, as laid out by the noble Lord, Lord Livermore. We have a plan for the achievement of 2.6%; we have the ambition of…06 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionI thank the noble Baroness for her questions. I say right from the outset that the Government do not see any moral equivalence between our Armed Forces and terrorists. Let me be…06 Jan 2026HANSARDDefence SpendingI understand the challenge that the noble Lord makes, but I cannot give him a specific time—next week or by the end of the month—by which it will be published. We are determined,…06 Jan 2026HANSARDDefence SpendingWe certainly will. I will not have our country categorised as a middle-ranking power or a diminishing power. I just do not believe that, and I do not think that the noble Baroness…06 Jan 2026HANSARDDefence SpendingWe are certainly trying to do exactly as the noble Lord says: to deliver properly, effectively and coherently on the choices that we face within the defence investment plan.…06 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionThe noble Baroness, as always, has asked a very important question. A number of people will listen to her question. There are a number of people in this Chamber who know Northern…06 Jan 2026HANSARDDefence SpendingThe noble Baroness will first have to tell me how long an elephant’s pregnancy is— I have absolutely no idea whether that is good news or bad news, and I do not know whether…06 Jan 2026HANSARDNorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Armed Forces Recruitment and RetentionObviously, I agree with the points the noble Baroness has made.06 Jan 2026