Contributions
1,082 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)For the absolute avoidance of doubt, I never said that, and the hon. Gentleman is putting words in my mouth. I never said, or even implied, that our armed forces are a laughing…16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. Like our previous debate, I fear this may be an area on which, as a Committee, we find it difficult to agree overall.…16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)Thank you.16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Sixth sitting)Good morning to you, Mr Efford, and to all members of the Committee. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship again today. I will lead for my party in this section on…16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)Ministers keep talking about this “largest sustained increase” in defence spending since the cold war. Why, then, were there £2.6 billion of efficiency cuts last year, and why is…16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)What does that have to do with it?16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)Well, Mr Efford, if the Chancellor signed it, there would not be any criticism. For whatever ends, she has not chosen to do so. When we had exchanges with the Minister for Defence…16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Sixth sitting)The hon. Member for South Ribble has raised a good point. When people leave the regulars now—I am probably rusty on this—is there a standard operating procedure where they are…16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Sixth sitting)The essence of the amendment, tabled in my name and that of my hon. Friends, is to place a requirement on the Secretary of State to create a plan to ensure and monitor the…16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Sixth sitting)On a point of order, Mr Efford. We will not press amendments 20 to 23. I am grateful that the Minister agreed to take amendment 24 away—we note that—but because the suggestion…16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Sixth sitting)I will speak to amendments 20 to 24. As they have been grouped together in the largest individual group to be debated today, I will take them in turn, with a few brief remarks on…16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)As the Minister rightly says, these are highly technical amendments, and therefore we have no objection.16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)I have one question about clause 53. The clause is titled: “Extent in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and British overseas territories”. However, subsection (2) says: “The…16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)Agreed.16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)I will make just one point, given the current international situation. We will not get into a long debate about the conflict in Iran, as you would rightly call me to order, Mr…16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)On the issue of recruitment and retention, the Committee will recall from an earlier debate that I produced a report called “Stick or Twist?” for a previous Prime Minister, which…16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)The hon. Gentleman pre-empts me; I notice that he said “into the armed forces”, not “into the Army”. I will come on to why that is the case in a minute. As he says, quarter by…16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)As that was technically an intervention, I will have the first crack at it, but I am sure the Minister heard what the hon. Lady said. I see what she is trying to do here. Within…16 Apr 2026HANSARDArmed Forces Bill (Seventh sitting)This clause is important and worthwhile. Sunken warships are war graves in their own right, and they are sacred. One example is HMS Hood, which was blown up and sunk in battle…16 Apr 2026