Contributions
1,571 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDOverseas Territories: Illegal ImmigrationThe noble Lord makes a good point and I agree with him that HMS “Medway” and the auxiliary ship RFA “Tideforce” were of huge assistance in the Turks and Caicos Islands in the wake…27 Apr 2023HANSARDOverseas Territories: Illegal ImmigrationThe noble Lord raises what I think is currently an academic question. The Rwanda option is being explored in relation to the refugees I mentioned earlier who have landed in…27 Apr 2023HANSARDOverseas Territories: Illegal ImmigrationThe key value of the overseas territories is related less to carbon—their emissions are minuscule—than to the fact that 96% of UK biodiversity is in the overseas territories. That…27 Apr 2023HANSARDSudanMy Lords, I am grateful to noble Lords for this opportunity to respond to questions and provide an update on the increasingly troubling situation in Sudan. Ten days ago, fierce…26 Apr 2023HANSARDSudanThere is no perfect answer to that question because the communications infrastructure is so patchy. We are doing our best to encourage as many—ideally, all—British nationals to…26 Apr 2023HANSARDSudanMy Lords, I am afraid I do not have anything that I am able to share with the House on that point—it is key. I think the question was asked by the noble Lord, Lord Collins, about…26 Apr 2023HANSARDSudanI thank the noble Earl for his intervention, his suggestion and his question. He is right to identify the often extraordinary work done by NGOs in incredibly dangerous…26 Apr 2023HANSARDSudanI thank the noble and right reverend Lord for his comments in relation to Christian Aid, and I agree with him. I hope that when the dust begins to settle and the immediate crisis…26 Apr 2023HANSARDSudanFirst, I echo the noble Lord’s remarks on the bravery of our service men and women. I made that point in my opening remarks, but it is absolutely right that it should be…26 Apr 2023HANSARDSudanI personally have not had discussions with the Home Office. Undoubtedly, the Minister for Africa will have done so, but I will make sure that the noble Lord’s message is fed back…26 Apr 2023HANSARDSudanMy Lords, as it stand today, our priority has to be to continue with the programme of evacuations of British nationals. We completed an operation for those working for government,…26 Apr 2023HANSARDSudanThe noble Baroness makes an important point, and of course we have learned lessons from Afghanistan, as we strive to from every event that involves the UK and the FCDO, including…26 Apr 2023HANSARDSudanMy Lords, I have no doubt that people not just in Salisbury and Leeds but across the country will want to provide support where they can—particularly those people with links and…26 Apr 2023HANSARDSudanI certainly would not want to dismiss, disparage or devalue those sentiments, because people in Sudan are, unfortunately, right to be afraid. It is a very unstable and dangerous…26 Apr 2023HANSARDUN: Individuals Displaced by ConflictMy Lords, a range of obligations exist in international humanitarian law and international refugee law concerning the safety and well-being of civilians displaced by conflict. The…20 Apr 2023HANSARDUN: Individuals Displaced by ConflictI thank the noble Lord for raising this issue and for the points that he has made, but we believe there is already a robust and comprehensive ecosystem of laws and norms to…20 Apr 2023HANSARDUN: Individuals Displaced by ConflictMy Lords, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees is a key partner for the UK. It provides protection and humanitarian assistance to refugees and other displaced persons. We have…20 Apr 2023HANSARDUN: Individuals Displaced by ConflictThe noble Lord makes a key point. We have repeatedly called on Russia through the United Nations to cease targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure and allow unfettered…20 Apr 2023HANSARDUN: Individuals Displaced by ConflictMy Lords, the FCDO is a permanently evolving organisation. We always try to refine and improve the manner in which we make substantial annual investments. Despite the cuts to…20 Apr 2023HANSARDUN: Individuals Displaced by ConflictI draw the noble Lord’s attention to the Integrated Review Refresh and the international development strategy, both of which were published recently, in which we reiterated our…20 Apr 2023