Contributions
3,157 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDUK-Saudi Arabia Joint Military ExercisesI thank my right hon. Friend for his kind words. I was Minister for the Armed Forces while he was Secretary of State and I learned a great deal from him. He is absolutely right to…20 May 2019HANSARDUK-Saudi Arabia Joint Military ExercisesI would say that all we do with the Saudi military is in compliance with and promoting compliance with international humanitarian law. I would ask the hon. Lady: does she think…20 May 2019HANSARDUK-Saudi Arabia Joint Military ExercisesI would like to pay tribute to Guardsman Mathew Talbot of the Coldstream Guards, who was killed on duty on 5 May in Malawi while taking part in a counter-poaching patrol. Our…20 May 2019HANSARDUK-Saudi Arabia Joint Military ExercisesThat concurs with what I have seen and, indeed, with reports that are in the public domain. We know that our training has assisted individuals in making judgments, while…20 May 2019HANSARDIranian Military Action: DeterrenceWe want the increasing tensions to de-escalate. I think that the major general’s remarks have been clarified; he was speaking in a particular context. We are absolutely on the…20 May 2019HANSARDUse of Torture OverseasThe confidence that the right hon. Gentleman and other Members can get is that the processes in the Department have to be right. Clearly, different people coming into office and…20 May 2019HANSARDUse of Torture OverseasI can understand the concerns that have been expressed about a policy, but it cannot be drawn from that that action is being taken or incidents have happened. What I can say to…20 May 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe Armed Forces Pay Review Body is about to report, and we will obviously look at that issue, but let me gently say to the hon. Gentleman that esteem for our armed forces is…20 May 2019HANSARDUse of Torture OverseasI thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that contribution, and I completely agree with what he says. In addition to the review of the policy, I will certainly give the…20 May 2019HANSARDUse of Torture OverseasI can give my hon. Friend that assurance. We do not condone torture, we will not be implicit in it and we are fully aware of our obligations in terms of third parties.20 May 2019HANSARDUse of Torture OverseasThe UK Government stand firmly against torture and do not participate in, solicit, encourage or condone the use of torture or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment…20 May 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI can assure my right hon. Friend that I am fully aware of the situation and that I understand his concern when we have invested in an individual and they are unable to carry out…20 May 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsIf my hon. Friend has particular suggestions, I would be interested to hear them. Where the MOD recognises that things have not previously been done as they should have, it has a…20 May 2019HANSARDUK-Saudi Arabia Joint Military ExercisesI am happy to give the hon. Gentleman that reassurance. I will go into more detail on the matter when I respond to the urgent question later, but that is the Government’s policy.…20 May 2019HANSARDUK-Saudi Arabia Joint Military ExercisesI hope I can reassure the hon. Gentleman with my track record in my previous post, when I went to Djibouti, got the shipping records of the traffic that was being held at Hodeidah…20 May 2019HANSARDIranian Military Action: DeterrenceFirst, I thank the hon. Gentleman for his kind comments. I am sure he will continue his campaign on road traffic accidents and all that Britain can do to prevent them around the…20 May 2019HANSARDUse of Torture OverseasI completely agree with what the hon. Gentleman has said. The Royal Navy played a huge role in the ending of the slave trade; our nation has a huge heritage in that respect. I…20 May 2019HANSARDIranian Military Action: DeterrenceYes, we are, and we are already deployed in the region. This is a region where we have huge stakes and a huge amount invested. We are working with our allies and partners, first,…20 May 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsIt is absolutely right that we call out behaviour that does not support or empower women or enable them to make the choices they want to in their lives. I am proud of the work…01 May 2019HANSARDVenezuelaWith permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to pay a brief tribute to Dr Richard Valery Mouzoko Kiboung, who was working for the World Health Organisation to fight Ebola in the…01 May 2019