Contributions
1,571 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPeatI am very happy to make that commitment on behalf of my colleagues in whose portfolio and remit this issue sits. From an international perspective, the noble Baroness makes a very…18 Jan 2022HANSARDDiplomatic Influence Post BrexitMy Lords, that is not the Government’s view at all. We engage on a very regular basis with our friends and allies across the European Union. It is also worth mentioning the…12 Jan 2022HANSARDDiplomatic Influence Post BrexitMy Lords, I would love to have time to give lots of examples of where we have exerted disproportionate influence over the last year or two. On the specific issue that the noble…12 Jan 2022HANSARDDiplomatic Influence Post BrexitMy Lords, I do not know whether my noble friend is referring to this Government or the French Government. Our defence capabilities have been consistently growing over the last few…12 Jan 2022HANSARDDiplomatic Influence Post BrexitIn the last decade our diplomatic network has expanded by over 10%, making it the fourth largest global network of embassies and high commissions after China, the US and France.…12 Jan 2022HANSARDDiplomatic Influence Post BrexitMy Lords, I think the opposite is the case, as we have shown over the last couple of years. The UK has exerted extraordinary influence around the world through various fora. At…12 Jan 2022HANSARDDiplomatic Influence Post BrexitMy Lords, Germany is an essential ally and one of our most important international partners. The new German coalition Government described the UK as one of Germany’s closest…12 Jan 2022HANSARDDiplomatic Influence Post BrexitThe noble Lord makes a really important point. We have always been concerned that Nord Stream 2—it is an obvious thing to say—risks entrenching European energy dependence on…12 Jan 2022HANSARDDiplomatic Influence Post BrexitMy Lords, we have shown that we do not need a separate institutional treaty to work effectively with the EU on foreign policy and security, whether that is co-ordinating on…12 Jan 2022HANSARDDiplomatic Influence Post BrexitAs I said, my Lords, we retain good diplomatic relations with European states and share foreign policy goals with them, particularly on issues around Russia, Iran and China and…12 Jan 2022HANSARDDiplomatic Influence Post BrexitI certainly do not intend to sound complacent. I simply push back on the idea that the UK has lost influence. All the evidence over the last two years shows that we have…12 Jan 2022HANSARDDiplomatic Influence Post BrexitMy Lords, we continue to work closely with all our allies, including the EU and European states, to build a network of liberty and tackle shared foreign policy challenges and…12 Jan 2022HANSARDRefugees: Mass DisplacementMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Alton, for securing this debate and for his extremely powerful words in starting it. I also thank all other noble Lords for their insightful…06 Jan 2022HANSARDRefugees: Mass DisplacementThe noble Lord made the point well in his speech that there have been cuts across the board as a consequence of the move from 0.7% to 0.5%. That involved lots of difficult…06 Jan 2022HANSARDPhilippines: Typhoon OdetteBecause I do not think that answer exists, and it is hard to assess. However, our support for humanitarian crises remains a priority, and that will be reflected in our upcoming…05 Jan 2022HANSARDPhilippines: Typhoon OdetteMy Lords, I do not think it is possible to provide an exact answer—05 Jan 2022HANSARDPhilippines: Typhoon OdetteMy Lords, I take from the question that the immunisation relates to Covid. We anticipate that, because of the difficulties of deploying vaccines, Covid cases will rise. We are…05 Jan 2022HANSARDPhilippines: Typhoon OdetteI am afraid I will have to get back to the noble Baroness with an answer to that question.05 Jan 2022HANSARDPhilippines: Typhoon OdetteThe noble Lord makes a hugely important point. One of the problems in humanitarian circumstances is not just making a commitment to provide support but getting it to where it is…05 Jan 2022HANSARDPhilippines: Typhoon OdetteMy Lords, we were saddened to see the devastation wrought by Typhoon Odette, known internationally as Typhoon Rai, on the Philippines on 16 and 17 December. We offer our deepest…05 Jan 2022