Contributions
1,831 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDUndersea Cables: National Security ThreatThat is a really important point. Clearly, we are in conversations with countries such as Ireland to ensure that we work as closely as we can with our friends to try to ensure…27 Oct 2025HANSARDUndersea Cables: National Security ThreatI confirm that the MoD has had discussions with Ireland, rather than me personally. Northern Ireland is an integral part of the UK while the people of Northern Ireland want that.…27 Oct 2025HANSARDUndersea Cables: National Security ThreatThe noble and gallant Lord raises an important point. I wish to limit my answer, for obvious reasons, but suffice it to say that we talk with our Irish colleagues about some of…27 Oct 2025HANSARDUndersea Cables: National Security ThreatWe have huge co-operation with Norway, as we have with many other countries, to protect underwater cables. The noble Baroness will know of Baltic Sentry and Nordic Warden,…27 Oct 2025HANSARDUndersea Cables: National Security ThreatThe repair record for this country is one of the best in the world. This sits with DESNZ and DSIT, as well as with the MoD, but I think the average repair is eight days. There is…27 Oct 2025HANSARDUndersea Cables: National Security ThreatMy Lords, the Government keep the threat to undersea cables connected to the UK under close review, working to deter and mitigate identified risks. My noble friend will appreciate…27 Oct 2025HANSARDUndersea Cables: National Security ThreatWe certainly should develop one, and we are developing one. My noble friend is right to highlight that. We are undertaking a number of actions including surveillance aircraft from…27 Oct 2025HANSARDQatar: Israeli StrikeLet me just say this: there is no difference in this House about the condemnation of Hamas. There is nobody in this House who would support Hamas or any of its aims and…11 Sept 2025HANSARDQatar: Israeli StrikeI do not want to speculate on who knew what and when, but I think it is interesting to note what the White House said in response to the attack that took place. The President…11 Sept 2025HANSARDQatar: Israeli StrikeI absolutely agree with the noble Lord. Part of everything I have said in response to this Urgent Question has been to highlight the crucial role Qatar has played, is playing and…11 Sept 2025HANSARDQatar: Israeli StrikeI thank the noble Lord, Lord Ahmad, for his question. The work that the current Government are doing is very much building on the work that he did when he was in government and…11 Sept 2025HANSARDQatar: Israeli StrikeThe noble Lord makes the point for himself in his question. We have close and strong relationships with Qatar. I myself hosted the ambassador of Qatar at the recent military…11 Sept 2025HANSARDQatar: Israeli StrikeI am not aware of any British nationals being in the vicinity of the strike. If that is wrong, I will write to the noble Lord and put a copy in the Library. On the question of…11 Sept 2025HANSARDQatar: Israeli StrikeI thank the noble Lord for his question. Of course, Israel has a right to self-defence, but the Government are concerned by Israel’s strike in Doha, we condemn the flagrant…11 Sept 2025HANSARDDefence Industrial StrategyLet me give a general answer to the variety of points made by the noble Baroness. Of course people can campaign against what they see as the arms trade and against what they see…10 Sept 2025HANSARDDefence Industrial StrategyOf course. That is a really important point and another aspect of the development of an industrial strategy. On small businesses, when we launched the defence industrial strategy…10 Sept 2025HANSARDDefence Industrial StrategyI thank the noble Baroness for her question. I have met members of the Halo Trust; I am perfectly happy to meet them again if that would be of any help. We are committed to…10 Sept 2025HANSARDDefence Industrial StrategyI will put that in writing for the noble Lord. The “always on” pipeline is about trying to ensure that we have a situation where we can always, if we need to, step up our…10 Sept 2025HANSARDDefence Industrial StrategyI know that the noble Lord has an opinion that not many people agree with, including me, but I appreciate that he puts it forward time and again in a respectful, calm and…10 Sept 2025HANSARDDefence Industrial StrategyI thank the noble Baroness for her comment about the Type 26 success that our country had and the frigates that will be built on the Clyde. It is a massive success for our…10 Sept 2025