Contributions
413 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDNational Security StrategyMy Lords, I declare my interest as a member of the Army Board. A recent sobering poll showed that fewer than one in three Britons would be prepared to fight for their country.…26 Jun 2025HANSARDDefence Industrial BaseMy Lords, the Prime Minister’s EU reset supposedly opens the door for the United Kingdom to participate in the European Union’s €150 billion defence procurement fund. However,…16 Jun 2025HANSARDDefence Industrial BaseMy Lords, in begging leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper, I declare my interest as a member of the Army Board.16 Jun 2025HANSARDDefence Industrial BaseTo ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support the defence industrial base.16 Jun 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillMy Lords, I oppose Amendments 1 and 6. While I have enormous sympathy with their intent, when I heard the noble Baroness say that this would expand the role of the commissioner a…30 Apr 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillIt does, apart from the clarification of what defines a veteran, on the basis that when a regular member of the Armed Forces leaves, they still have a reserve liability. We like…30 Apr 2025HANSARDTobacco and Vapes BillMy Lords, I still remember well the berating I got from my local pub landlord the Sunday after I voted to ban smoking in public places, back in 2006—it was going to be the end of…23 Apr 2025HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaHaving served as a NATO peacekeeper in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I have a particular interest. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Dayton peace agreement. It was a complex…03 Apr 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillI entirely accept the point made by the noble Lord. All I am trying to do is to put in a dose of reality as to just how expensive this process could be if we are not careful.…19 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillI am intrigued by this—and the more I think about it, the more confusing it gets. We are clear that, within the Bill, qualification is subject to service law. Of course, members…19 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillThe noble Baroness makes a reasonable point, which is why I said at the start of my remarks that I understood the intent behind what she is trying to achieve. Without getting…19 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillI sense that we are in danger of confusing the recruitment process and recruits. The recruitment process is the process through which you apply to join the Armed Forces. That ends…19 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillMy Lords, I will be equally brief. I come at this from a slightly different angle. I confess that I equally support the principle that, whatever happens, this post must be funded;…19 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillMy Lords, I will speak in broad support of Amendments 3 and 4. Anything that strengthens the relationship between the Armed Forces and Parliament must be a good thing. I was taken…19 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillIt just came to my mind now, and my memory may be wrong, but I thought that was the case. If it was, it would be interesting to know why that provision has been taken out as the…19 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillWe are in danger of not overpublicising but causing confusion. The majority of the service complaints system which is lifted and dropped into the Bill still remains the…19 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillMy Lords, with the greatest respect to the noble Baroness, I will speak against Amendment 2. I declare my interest as a member of the Army Board. I understand the intent, but my…19 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillOn the appointment process, which we touched on earlier, I am grateful that the Minister will come back to me about the air gap, but could I entice him to offer a view as to…19 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillI just want to add a bit of clarity to our conversation about regulars, veterans and reserves, and what we imagine reserves to be. As Major-General Lancaster, I am head of the…05 Mar 2025HANSARDArmed Forces Commissioner BillMy Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Viscount, Lord Stansgate. I offer my congratulations to Emily and James, and I look forward very much to the engagement party next…05 Mar 2025