Contributions
1,451 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Valedictory DebateOne of the lessons I learned when I was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999—it was a bit like being behind enemy lines for a Conservative; there were 13 of us out of…24 May 2024HANSARD Valedictory DebateWe do not have time for me to share all my anecdotes about my experiences during my 19 years of being a Member of Parliament. I could tell the House about my trip to Iran with…24 May 2024HANSARDIran-Israel UpdateThere is another country that is under almost constant daily bombardment by Iranian-made drones: Ukraine. Some three years ago I pleaded with the Israelis to help Ukraine against…15 Apr 2024HANSARDUkraine: Military SupportI congratulate my right hon. Friend on the work he has done as Defence Secretary since taking on the Department. His long experience in government has shown to the fore and I am…08 Jan 2024HANSARDDefenceI thank my right hon. Friend for his work on the report and for his campaigning. Let me also say, however, that procurement has started to improve. In 2009-10, the average time…04 Sept 2023HANSARDDefenceI thank my right hon. Friend for his work on the report and for his campaigning. Let me also say, however, that procurement has started to improve. In 2009-10, the average time…04 Sept 2023HANSARDMilitary Support to UkraineI am pleased to provide the House with an update on our military support to Ukraine, including equipment and ammunition provided, deployed personnel, and our training programmes.…20 Jul 2023HANSARD Veterans UpdateWith permission, Mr Speaker, I would like expand on the apology delivered by the Prime Minister this afternoon for the unacceptable hurt caused to LGBT members of our nation’s…19 Jul 2023HANSARD Veterans UpdateI am grateful to the hon. Lady for what she has said. I think that all of us—the Opposition and those of us on this side of the House—share not only a desire to honour those…19 Jul 2023HANSARD Veterans UpdateIn answer to both: yes. Also, some veterans were told that they did not qualify for medals in the first place. They, too, will be able to have their medals from now on.19 Jul 2023HANSARD Veterans UpdateMy hon. Friend is a good friend of mine, and I remember him making that brave decision. Many of us on this side of the House who know him well—and many on the other side—pay…19 Jul 2023HANSARD Veterans UpdateI cannot answer the question of why it took 22 years. All I can say is that, from the authority I have in my office for now, having been able to commission this report and start…19 Jul 2023HANSARD Veterans UpdateI am grateful to my honourable colleague across the Floor. As he says, we never know: he may find me back in the Scottish Parliament, where it all began.19 Jul 2023HANSARD Veterans UpdateSome of the delay and obfuscation was driven by a rush to get a scheme that satisfies speed. The obfuscation is not always deliberate. We have seen a list of examples where things…19 Jul 2023HANSARD Veterans UpdateI am not going to live to the age of 200, so I do not know, but I have always enjoyed working with the hon. Gentleman. He is absolutely right: there is no barrier to the success…19 Jul 2023HANSARD Veterans UpdateI am grateful to the hon. Member for his question and for his service. When I think of my own experience, I know that being friends with and getting to know men and women from the…19 Jul 2023HANSARD Veterans UpdateThat is a pretty cruel reflection on a state, and it affected not just LGBT people but women. In the first and second world wars, women kept industry going. They kept the home…19 Jul 2023HANSARD Veterans UpdateI am grateful to my hon. Friend. If the truth be known, I do not think I ever got an A in anything. Maybe I am finishing this job without being found out.19 Jul 2023HANSARD Veterans UpdateI am happy to write to the right hon. Gentleman to clarify the pathway to the pension, which is important. First and foremost, we recognise that there should be a financial award.…19 Jul 2023HANSARD Veterans UpdateMy hon. Friend’s last point is incredibly valid. Yes, we train people all over the world to protect their societies, but what is the point if we do not also train them to uphold…19 Jul 2023