Contributions
1,077 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRFA Sir GalahadI knew people who served in the Welsh Guards at the time—I was myself in the Scots Guards—and a number who did not come back. I congratulate the hon. Member for Newport East…25 Mar 2024HANSARDCyber-security and UK DemocracyTomorrow, it will be three years since parliamentarians here were sanctioned; your defence of us, Mr Speaker, has been remarkable. Although I welcome the two sanctions from the…25 Mar 2024HANSARD Hong Kong Security Legislation(Urgent Question) : To ask the Foreign Secretary if he will make a statement on the security and human rights implications of Article 23 in Hong Kong.20 Mar 2024HANSARD Sri Lanka: Human RightsI very much support what my hon. Friend has been saying. I agree that settling this issue and getting the right human rights for those Tamils who are suffering—many of whom have…20 Mar 2024HANSARD Hong Kong Security LegislationI welcome the Government’s statement, but it does not go far enough. Article 23 allows sentences of up to 14 years’ imprisonment if an individual fails to disclose that another…20 Mar 2024HANSARDTrade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords]I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.19 Mar 2024HANSARDTrade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords]It is a pleasure to speak to new clause 1, which is signed by a cross-party group of MPs who all believe that Parliament should have the right to scrutinise trade deals. It seeks…19 Mar 2024HANSARDTrade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords]I will come to that in a minute, because it does not, and that is the whole point of the new clause. In the 2023 integrated review refresh, the countries defined as threats were…19 Mar 2024HANSARDTrade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords]I enjoy the idea that my hon. Friend puts such trust in Government never to take other arrangements into consideration. We know how that works. It will be fine today with my right…19 Mar 2024HANSARDTrade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords]I think the right hon. Gentleman makes my point. I sat in Government and all I can say to him is that one cannot always say that Ministers will necessarily do the right thing;…19 Mar 2024HANSARDTrade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords]It is always kind to be referred to in another country, which leads me to wonder whether I should stand there. [ Interruption. ] I need no encouragement from those on the…19 Mar 2024HANSARDTrade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords]I agree. I was not so certain about this, so I looked at what Lord Lisvane, the one-time chief Clerk in the House, said about it. He produced a note on it, which I quote: “The…19 Mar 2024HANSARDTrade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords]I ask the right hon. Gentleman not to tempt me beyond my new clause. I always happy to look at this issue, and I believe in debate. It is vital, otherwise Governments are never…19 Mar 2024HANSARDTrade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords]It is, although I cannot follow my hon. Friend through Lithuania and the atolls of the far east, because I would be ruled out of order by the Chair. I hope he will forgive me, but…19 Mar 2024HANSARDTrade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords]I apologise for interrupting my right hon. Friend’s excellent speech. The key was, we were told at the time, that the move would change China, and that persuaded the Government,…19 Mar 2024HANSARDTrade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords]I agree. I could have taken this even further, but my point is that the Foreign Office dislikes any idea of debate and discussion. However, we have a Trade Department, which needs…19 Mar 2024HANSARDTrade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords]I fully agree with my hon. Friend’s wider purpose, but I come back to the point that Lord Lisvane made very clearly, which is that we still do not have the ability to debate the…19 Mar 2024HANSARDTrade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords]The point I was trying to make is that there is also an economic issue here. If China practises slave or forced labour, as it does on a wide scale, it undercuts all the reasonable…19 Mar 2024HANSARDTrade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords]I beg to ask leave to withdraw the clause. Clause, by leave, withdrawn. New Clause 4 Report: accession of new states to the CPTPP “(1) Before any decision is made by the…19 Mar 2024HANSARD Sport: Gambling AdvertisingAs ever, Sir Christopher, it is a privilege to serve under your stewardship. May I apologise in advance to the Members here, including the Minister and the Opposition spokesman? I…13 Mar 2024