Contributions
1,953 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshThe right hon. Gentleman seems have embedded in his question the idea that our posture to the Indo-Pacific is a one-off event. It is not; it is a permanent recalibration of our…13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshMy right hon. Friend makes a very important point. When I was running through the list of things that underpin our Indo-Pacific focus, I did not mention AUKUS, because I know that…13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshI reassure my right hon. Friend that in every meeting I have had with representatives of the Chinese Government, I have raised specifically their sanctioning of him and others in…13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshI have just come back, at the tail and of last week, from the UK-France summit in Paris, and our closer defence co-operation was one of the main topics we discussed, as was our…13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshI pay tribute to my hon. Friend’s work in this area. She is right: freedom of religion or belief is a litmus test for good behaviours by Government. Where those freedoms are…13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshThe hon. Gentleman should listen when we make statements at the Dispatch Box, because we have made the commitment to get back up to 0.7%. As I said in response to the hon. Member…13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshIt is incumbent on us to make sure that we understand China better. I am not fatalistic about our future relationship with China. The job of foreign affairs and diplomacy is to…13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshWith permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a statement on the 2023 integrated review refresh. I smile because it is a genuine delight to see you back in this House and…13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshI thank the hon. and gallant Gentleman for his question. The details of how the Secretary of State for Defence will spend his budget I will have to leave to the Secretary of State…13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshWe have fantastic defence industries here in the UK. I think the reason countries are keen to work with us on projects such as AUKUS, the future combat air system and others is…13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshMy right hon. Friend is absolutely right. Russia’s use of energy supplies is a tool of coercion—that is something that we have witnessed. We must ensure that we do two things.…13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshWe committed to 2.5% of GDP as a sustainable baseline. We announced the additional £5 billion to address the immediate impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As I said, that is…13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshMy hon. Friend is right that it is important for us to build on our existing friendships and develop new ones in the Indo-Pacific region. Those friendships and partnerships are a…13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshThe Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee highlighted a number of important areas, and I commend her and the Committee for the work they have done in putting forward ideas. We…13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshOn who will ultimately pay for the terrible damage across Ukraine, it is absolutely right that the aggressor pays. We will work closely with our international partners to make…13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshI suspect that my right hon. Friend, my near neighbour in Essex, knows that he is pushing at the most open of open doors on that. I do not particularly like the phrase “soft…13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshThe Secretary of State for Defence was just at the Dispatch Box welcoming the money.13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshI will tell the hon. Gentleman why there is always money for the foundation stone of the Euro-Atlantic defence posture; it is because it is the foundation stone of the…13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshI am not a religious man, but I understand that there is a phrase in the Bible about how there is more joy in heaven over a sinner who repents, and it is really good to hear— […13 Mar 2023HANSARDIntegrated Review RefreshWe respond to the threats posed by Iran in the region, against people in the country and internationally. The hon. Lady is right to highlight the numerous attempts that have been…13 Mar 2023