Contributions
589 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Armed Forces DayI think the hon. Gentleman is being pedantic; I think he knows exactly the spirit in which I support the armed forces. If he wants to discuss this after the debate I will be more…26 Jun 2019HANSARD Armed Forces DayIt will be shared.26 Jun 2019HANSARD Armed Forces DayThe hon. Lady highlights the challenge that we face. While someone is serving in uniform, their mental health and physical health are the responsibility of the MOD, but once they…26 Jun 2019HANSARD Armed Forces DayI pay tribute to the work that my hon. Friend does in supporting the armed forces’ profile in Parliament. It is absolutely paramount in educating others. He is absolutely right to…26 Jun 2019HANSARD Armed Forces DayThat is mapped out in our annual report, and, if I may, I will send the hon. Gentleman a copy of it. He is absolutely right to suggest that we should not be complacent about the…26 Jun 2019HANSARD Armed Forces DayThe hon. Lady is right to point out the challenges for somebody who has perhaps done three tours of Afghanistan on the general-purpose machine gun. How do they put that in their…26 Jun 2019HANSARD Christmas Island Nuclear Testing: CompensationI am happy to write to the hon. Lady in more detail. It was my plan to do that anyway after this debate. She has raised several points. I do not have all the details now, but I…21 May 2019HANSARD Christmas Island Nuclear Testing: CompensationI would be delighted to meet the hon. Gentleman, perhaps one to one, to discuss that. The issue of medals is always sensitive. As he is aware, many campaign groups are seeking to…21 May 2019HANSARD Christmas Island Nuclear Testing: CompensationI begin by thanking the hon. Member for Glasgow North West (Carol Monaghan) for securing the debate. She raises a very sensitive matter, which has been brought to this House on…21 May 2019HANSARD Christmas Island Nuclear Testing: CompensationI am not denying that they were in the vicinity. It is the distance and proximity to the explosion that we are talking about. It is worth putting it in context. Other nations went…21 May 2019HANSARD Christmas Island Nuclear Testing: CompensationBecause it is an independent study, I do not have the details of the fourth report, but I will write to the hon. Lady to confirm whether the offspring are included. I hope that…21 May 2019HANSARD Christmas Island Nuclear Testing: CompensationThe fact that the right hon. Gentleman had to deal with this when he was a Defence Minister reflects how long this issue has been alive. I would be grateful for any further…21 May 2019HANSARD Christmas Island Nuclear Testing: CompensationI am not a lawyer and it is not for me to make those judgments; it is for me to clarify— [Interruption.] I will not be pressed to give a judgment—that would be wrong. I am sorry…21 May 2019HANSARDIncome Tax Rate: ScotlandI will not get drawn into the second part of the hon. Gentleman’s question, but I will clarify the first part. [ Interruption. ] If he can hold on to his seat for a second, I will…20 May 2019HANSARDIncome Tax Rate: ScotlandMy hon. Friend is absolutely right that this issue affects not just those in uniform for whom we have responsibility, costing the MOD £4 million a year, but their spouses,…20 May 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsPart of the purpose of Mental Health Awareness Week was to raise awareness of where veterans can seek help. As I touched on earlier, every regional NHS authority must have a…20 May 2019HANSARDRAF ScamptonThe RAF remains absolutely committed to Lincolnshire as part of our defence rationalisation programme. My hon. Friend is aware that we have had to restructure some of the assets…20 May 2019HANSARDCommonwealth Servicemen and WomenThe hon. Gentleman makes an important point, which also came up in the debate. It is important when such people embark on this journey—when they sign the papers and endeavour to…20 May 2019HANSARDCommonwealth Servicemen and WomenMy hon. Friend makes a valid point, and we are certainly looking at that Act. The starting salary that someone receives when they come in to join the armed forces does meet the…20 May 2019HANSARDIncome Tax Rate: ScotlandSo enthusiastic was I to answer the question, I failed to ask your permission to group this question with Question 14, Sir.20 May 2019