Contributions
1,451 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSize of Armed ForcesIt is interesting, because of course it was Labour that cut 19 battalions from the Army when I was serving under the hon. Member’s Government. What is important is not just that…26 Jun 2023HANSARDSize of Armed ForcesTime and again the right hon. Gentleman comes to this House knowing full well that my statements on hollowing out are not about this Government but about successive Governments…26 Jun 2023HANSARDSize of Armed ForcesThe Government have injected more than £29 billion of additional funding into defence since 2020, investing in Army modernisation, major platforms such as Type 26, Type 31,…26 Jun 2023HANSARDNATOI regularly engage with NATO allies, including most recently at the NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting on 15 and 16 June, at which we demonstrated our continued solidarity with…26 Jun 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsOur support for Ukraine is made up of £2.3 billion, not all of which is committed. We continue to make sure that whatever Ukraine needs, we can try to give it or, if we do not…26 Jun 2023HANSARDSize of Armed ForcesOn that quote, I asked if he would admit that Labour had hollowed out during its term of office. How convenient it is to forget that the whole point is that, in the 30 years…26 Jun 2023HANSARDSize of Armed ForcesMy right hon. Friend makes an important point about levels of Defence spending. First, spend on the Army is 20% higher since I started as Defence Secretary, and I have made sure…26 Jun 2023HANSARDNATOI am delighted that NATO will host its new Maritime Centre for the Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure in the UK. The centre is part of NATO’s long-term plan to better…26 Jun 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs the Vilnius summit approaches, it is very important that we recommit, and get other nations to recommit, to the targets and to make sure that 2% is viewed as a floor, not a…26 Jun 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI would say that I am optimistic. In my phone call with my new Turkish counterpart last week, that was one of the first subjects I raised. I have also spoken consistently and on…26 Jun 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy right hon. Friend might like to know that former colleagues of mine from the Household Division—from the Welsh Guards and others—have also been in contact with me. I have asked…26 Jun 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe United Kingdom has always been confident that, given the right international support, leadership and investment, Ukraine can defend its nation and see off this aggressive,…26 Jun 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe defence Command Paper will be published before recess—I hope that it will be published sooner rather than later; it is currently in the write-round process with the rest of…26 Jun 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend is certainly the best MP for Falmouth. She has been very good at lobbying and making the case for Falmouth, which put on an excellent event, although I am not going…26 Jun 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsNothing to hide. To hunt on my Department’s land, an organisation must have a recognised governing body. All persons participating in a hunt must be members of such an…26 Jun 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsMay I place on record our gratitude to Cornwall Council and Falmouth, and all the organisers of the national Armed Forces Day this year—the town laid on an extraordinary event,…26 Jun 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Gentleman raises an important point about the role of Belarus. First, we should recognise that, so far in this illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Belarus has simply…26 Jun 2023HANSARDUkraine: Military SupportI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. My understanding is that the Storm Shadow missile has had a significant impact on the battlefield. Its accuracy and ability to deliver…26 Jun 2023HANSARDUkraine: Military SupportThe hon. Gentleman makes a really important point. To better co-ordinate the gifting, at the beginning we set up the International Donor Co-ordination Centre, with about 80…26 Jun 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy right hon. Friend asks an important question about the Vilnius summit, which comes at an important moment for NATO and on the heels of war in Europe and the invasion of…26 Jun 2023