Contributions
314 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRemotely Piloted Aircraft SystemsMy hon. Friend is right that as well as ensuring that we purchase the right kit and equipment, we must ensure that we have personnel who are trained and ready to use it, adapting…06 Jul 2026HANSARDHigh NorthThe UK is committed to security in the High North. As well as the Royal Marines’ cold weather training in Norway, ranger exercises in Sweden and Finland, and air policing…06 Jul 2026HANSARDHigh NorthMy hon. Friend is quite right to highlight the High North, and the defence investment plan positions our armed forces to focus on its protection, alongside our allies in NATO and…06 Jul 2026HANSARDHigh NorthI am sure the hon. and gallant Member will agree that the changing nature of warfare means that we must change to meet it. Having a focus on uncrewed systems and AI is critical,…06 Jul 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Member has been a doughty champion for his constituency, and he and I have had many exchanges on this subject. I confirm that all decisions taken about reserves will look…06 Jul 2026HANSARDRemotely Piloted Aircraft SystemsDefence continually assesses threats and risks in all areas, including aerial drones. The defence investment plan contains measures to accelerate transformation and equip forces…06 Jul 2026HANSARDRemotely Piloted Aircraft SystemsThe hon. Member is right to highlight the fantastic work being done at Predannack, and I agree wholeheartedly with him. The defence investment plan places significant emphasis on…06 Jul 2026HANSARDRemotely Piloted Aircraft SystemsI wholeheartedly agree. That was a key message of this defence investment plan, which looks ahead to the technology that we will need in the future—for example, we have allotted…06 Jul 2026HANSARDRemotely Piloted Aircraft SystemsI thank the hon. Member for raising a hugely important point—he is absolutely right. When I was serving, I saw some of the areas in which we need improvement. This Government are…06 Jul 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsThere has been an abhorrent loss of life; children must never be the victims of war. We have already suspended licences for Israel where the items might be used in military…06 Jul 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI hope that my hon. Friend heard my previous answer, in which I expressed my deep sadness over the innocent victims of war. To confirm, we have already suspended licences for…06 Jul 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessI beg to move amendment (a), to leave out from “House” to the end of the Question and add: “looks forward to the publication of the Government’s Defence Investment Plan;…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessI do recognise it, and also the wider impacts of the state of the housing that I, like my hon. Friend, had to live in. I also recognise the relentless pressure on our fantastic…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessI am criticising the decision makers for that decision and, on reflection, I think that others would agree with me. All of this occurred under Conservative Prime Ministers,…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessMy hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight those who were responsible for the defence of this country and the decisions they made.23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessI appreciate the right hon. Gentleman’s trying to conjure up me saying something that I have not said—I do appreciate that. He will be aware that I was talking about decisions…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessI am proud of what we have already achieved in government on defence. We have raised defence spending, despite the record of previous Governments. I am in a position to argue…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessI am going to make some progress. RAF pilots recently flew over 3,000 hours of defensive missions, intercepting drones and missiles to protect our people and our allies in the…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessI am going to make a little bit of progress. I think I have been quite generous. From the High North to the far east, as our world becomes more dangerous, demands on defence grow.…23 Jun 2026HANSARDDefence Spending and ReadinessI am proud of the record we have achieved so far in Government. I think we all recognise that there is more to do and we are working hard to do that.23 Jun 2026