Contributions
1,800 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDActions of Iranian Regime: UK ResponseAs I said, Iran poses a serious state threat, and we have already foiled more than 20 plots in the UK. Those plots have been focused on all our citizens, but particularly…08 Jul 2025HANSARDActions of Iranian Regime: UK ResponseAs the Prime Minister has said alongside our allies and partners, Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon. Iran must urgently resume co-operation with the IAEA to enable it to…08 Jul 2025HANSARDActions of Iranian Regime: UK ResponseI am not going to predict exactly what form that will take, but I agree with the noble Baroness that Iran and all its state organisations pose a threat and we need a holistic…08 Jul 2025HANSARDActions of Iranian Regime: UK ResponseI am not going to speculate on what we may or may not know about the outcome of those strikes, but what I do know and have repeatedly said—and the noble Lord is right on this…08 Jul 2025HANSARDActions of Iranian Regime: UK ResponseI repeat that the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and the Minister responsible have been absolutely focused on diplomatic efforts. I also repeat that President Trump has…08 Jul 2025HANSARDUK-Mauritius Agreement on the Chagos ArchipelagoI have answered the point repeatedly. I said it in my opening contribution and I will not continue this up and down dialogue.30 Jun 2025HANSARDUK-Mauritius Agreement on the Chagos ArchipelagoI do not understand. The noble Lord has been here long enough. How does legislation get effected in this Parliament?30 Jun 2025HANSARDUK-Mauritius Agreement on the Chagos ArchipelagoWell, the noble Lord could have interrupted me when I was giving my contribution. It is absolutely clear that we need primary legislation, which we will bring forward before…30 Jun 2025HANSARDUK-Mauritius Agreement on the Chagos ArchipelagoMy Lords, this has been a fascinating and interesting debate. Just to reflect the noble Lord’s recent comments, of course this is a political judgment that the Government have had…30 Jun 2025HANSARDDeep Sea Mining in International WatersI wholeheartedly agree with the noble Baroness, and that is exactly what we have been doing. In my recent discussions with new Secretary-General Botchwey, we have been making…30 Jun 2025HANSARDDeep Sea Mining in International WatersI thank the noble Lord for his question. I do think that we are working on a cross-party basis. These are long-term issues about the protection of the environment and of…30 Jun 2025HANSARDDeep Sea Mining in International WatersIn my meeting with the civil servants this morning, I spoke about our participation in next week’s meeting of the council of the ISA. We will ensure that we take into account all…30 Jun 2025HANSARDDeep Sea Mining in International WatersI will not repeat my answer about the BBNJ. I was at the UN General Assembly where we signed our commitment to ratify it. The noble Baroness has made a really important point,…30 Jun 2025HANSARDDeep Sea Mining in International WatersI think I need to respond in a positive way. I can be absolutely clear what we are in favour of. The major priority for the ISA is to agree a regulatory regime for exploitation,…30 Jun 2025HANSARDDeep Sea Mining in International WatersThat is exactly what our negotiations next week will be about. The precautionary principle is at the heart of the Government’s approach to deep sea mining. What we have in place…30 Jun 2025HANSARDDeep Sea Mining in International WatersIt has been made public that legislation will be introduced by the end of the year to enable the ratification of the BBNJ agreement. That agreement includes processes to ensure…30 Jun 2025HANSARDDeep Sea Mining in International WatersMy Lords, as a party to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the United Kingdom fully supports the work of the ISA. The UK has been fully engaged in the work of the ISA since…30 Jun 2025HANSARDDeep Sea Mining in International WatersMy Lords, the United Kingdom supports a moratorium on the granting of exploration contracts by the International Seabed Authority until sufficient scientific evidence is available…30 Jun 2025HANSARDMiddle EastI agree with my noble friend and, as I said in response to the earlier question, that is why we have been working with France and the Saudis on the two-state solution. Of course,…24 Jun 2025HANSARDMiddle EastI appreciate my noble friend’s comments. I reassure the House that I am absolutely committed to working with all sides, including shadow Ministers opposite, to ensure that we put…24 Jun 2025