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1,811 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillI understand the argument that the right hon. Gentleman is trying to make, but I hope that he appreciates my argument that the calculation is based on the OBR’s inflation and…09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillI beg to move, That the Bill be read a Second time. On 22 May, the Prime Minister signed a landmark treaty with the Republic of Mauritius that guarantees the continued UK…09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillTo be fair, I will give way to one Opposition Member, and then I will make some progress. I give way to the former Deputy Prime Minister.09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillIt was a timely intervention. I am happy to confirm that this precise deal delivers on the objective as originally set out when the Conservatives were in government. It secures…09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillTo borrow a phrase, if the right hon. Member shows me his, I will show him mine. The whole point is that our deal is published. If he would like to go into the files and dig out…09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillSo soon!09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillI will come back to the former Deputy Prime Minister and then I will make some progress.09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillFor the last time, and then I need to conclude my remarks.09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillThat is precisely why my FCDO colleagues are working very closely with Mauritius to ensure that the money that is included in the treaty, and the obligations that both the UK and…09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillMy hon. Friend is exactly right. On the reasoned amendments, my colleague who is to conclude the debate, the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, my…09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillIn support of the deal, the US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, put it well when he said: “Diego Garcia is a vital military base for the US. The UK’s (very important) deal with…09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillThe Minister of State has met a full range of groups, including the group mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman.09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillI do not think the right hon. Gentleman wants to show me his draft deal, and there is a very good reason for that: this deal, this treaty and this Bill improve on that deal.09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillI said I would take one intervention from each side of the House. I have done that, so I will make some progress, but I am certain that Members will get another chance in a…09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillI say politely to the hon. Gentleman—for whom I have a lot of time, and I respect his military service—that that comparison we have seen of the British Indian Ocean Territory with…09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillI will return to the Green Book in a moment, but will give way first to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr Bailey). I am trying to be fair to everyone.09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillI will make a little bit more progress and then I will come back to the hon. Gentleman. [ Interruption. ] I can hear the shadow Foreign Secretary has gone back to her shouting…09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillI am going to make a wee bit more progress, but I always like giving way to a Luke, and I will do so in a bit—do not worry—but not quite yet. I pay tribute to all Members of the…09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillThe Foreign Office and the Government published the Government’s legal position when the treaty was laid. That assessment says: “The longstanding legal view of the United Kingdom…09 Sept 2025HANSARDDiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory BillI will make some progress, if I may.09 Sept 2025