Contributions
1,451 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsSince the 2015 strategic defence and security review, the world has changed. Our adversaries have invested more in their armed forces and have constantly been updating their…06 Jul 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Vexatious ClaimsMy hon. Friend, like me, has been a long campaigner on this—in fact, I went on my first Northern Ireland veterans Campaign for Justice as much in 1998. I have fought for a very…06 Jul 2020HANSARDArmed Forces: Overall SizeI feel my right hon. Friend’s sense of urgency about getting this review done. He will also know that SDSR after SDSR, under Governments of both colours, often failed because they…06 Jul 2020HANSARDDefence CapabilitiesThe hon. Member asks a logical and proper question. I can assure him that we will not abandon one threat to meet another. We work incredibly hard with our Scandinavian and Nordic…06 Jul 2020HANSARDDefence CapabilitiesI fear that I have only a few seconds in which to answer that. I am very happy to meet the hon. Member to explore the last part of his question because it is significant and we…06 Jul 2020HANSARDDefence CapabilitiesMy hon. Friend is right—but the review was slowed down, not entirely paused, during the covid pandemic. We did continue to work on it in the Ministry of Defence. Last week I…06 Jul 2020HANSARDDefence CapabilitiesWe have the funds and plans in place to ensure that our armed forces are playing to their strengths. We are investing in the likes of the future combat air system technology…06 Jul 2020HANSARDDefence CapabilitiesThe Ministry of Defence has rigorous ongoing processes to test and develop our capabilities and force structure to ensure that they are robust against current and future threats.…06 Jul 2020HANSARDNorthern Ireland: Vexatious ClaimsThis Government are committed to ending vexatious claims as quickly as possible. I am working closely with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland towards this objective. As…06 Jul 2020HANSARDDefence Industrial StrategyMy right hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight the fact that defence procurement and innovation should be linked and should link into prosperity and alternatives, using…06 Jul 2020HANSARDDefence Industrial StrategyThe Government are currently conducting work on the UK’s defence and security industrial strategy to identify the steps we should take to ensure a competitive, innovative and…06 Jul 2020HANSARDUS Deployment: GermanyMy right hon. Friend has been in this House long enough to know that he should not believe everything he reads in the newspapers, especially around the time of an integrated…06 Jul 2020HANSARDUS Deployment: GermanyI met with my NATO counterparts, including Secretary Esper, on 17 and 18 June to discuss the alliance’s enduring role in European security.06 Jul 2020HANSARDRebalancing of Covid Support ForceIn late March, as the Government stepped up their response to the global pandemic, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) established the covid support force (CSF), in anticipation of a…20 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Departmental SupportOn any given day, up to 4,000 men and women of the armed forces support the Government’s response to covid.12 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Departmental SupportMobile testing is a capability developed between the Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Defence under DHSC direction. NHS Scotland decides on the location to…12 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Departmental SupportJoint Military Command Wales has provided mobile decontamination teams and drivers to support the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust. It has also provided general duties personnel to…12 May 2020HANSARDSouth China Sea OperationsMy right hon. Friend makes the important point that there are adversaries and competitors around the world seeking to use this horrendous outbreak not only to exploit our…12 May 2020HANSARDSouth China Sea OperationsThe Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy collaborate across the globe on a near daily basis. Only this morning, I had an hour-long conversation with my counterpart in…12 May 2020HANSARDSouth China Sea OperationsMay I just pay tribute to the men and women of the armed forces who have risen to the challenge of helping to deal with covid? We will find them up and down this country, and…12 May 2020