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1,614 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryAs I said yesterday, a financial element over 99 years was crucial to protect the operation of such a vital base—we will not scrimp on our security. Once the treaty is signed, it…02 Apr 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryMy hon. Friend asks a very important question. As I have set out, there will be multiple opportunities for this House and the other place to consider this matter, not only through…02 Apr 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryThe hon. Member has asked an important question, and I have answered it a number of times. To reiterate, there will be robust security provisions in that regard. That is why China…02 Apr 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryI absolutely can. Our national security, and that of our allies, has been at the heart of the agreement. There was a significant problem. The former Government knew that, which is…02 Apr 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryAs I have said on a number of occasions, we welcome the US endorsement of the deal and of its strength, and we are grateful for the close co-operation between the United Kingdom…02 Apr 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryAs I have set out on a number of occasions, and again today, when we present the treaty, we will present the costs and the arrangements, and the House will have the chance to…02 Apr 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryThere does appear to be some confusion about the different legal judgments among the Opposition, as I can hear from the chuntering. There are a number of ways in which the…02 Apr 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryI share my hon. Friend’s bafflement. With so many issues going on in the world, I do question the number of times this one has been raised. We have answered all the questions…02 Apr 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryThe islands are not permanently inhabited, and that is one of the fundamental issues in this situation. As I have said repeatedly, we are doing many things that will be supportive…02 Apr 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryI completely agree—I think some of the speculation has been hugely unhelpful. We have been hugely grateful for the close co-operation between the United Kingdom and the United…02 Apr 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryI can absolutely confirm that. That is also why we agreed an important arrangement as an interim with St Helena, which I have spoken to the House about. That has absolutely been…02 Apr 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryI refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave a moment ago. We are absolutely clear that the United States recognises the strength of this deal. We have had excellent…02 Apr 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryQuite frankly, the hon. Member neglects to mention the shocking mess that his former Government left us to inherit. I have been clear in this House on many occasions that we will…02 Apr 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryI simply reject the premise of the hon. Member’s question. The Government inherited a situation where the effective operation of the base was under threat. Claims that we…02 Apr 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryThe hon. Member asks an important question. The US operates its naval support facility, and although I will not get into the operational details of that for obvious reasons, the…02 Apr 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryI thank the right hon. Lady for her question. As we and Mauritius have repeatedly said, including in joint statements on 20 December and 13 January, both sides remain committed to…02 Apr 2025HANSARDBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryOn parliamentary accountability for this issue, I have answered no fewer than five urgent questions on the subject in the last six months, and I have answered 130 written…02 Apr 2025HANSARDRight of Self-DeterminationThis is not a matter for us. The United States is a sovereign, democratic nation, and the issue of voting rights in the District of Columbia is a matter for the United States.01 Apr 2025HANSARDOfficial Development Assistance: Infectious DiseasesI thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question. Decisions on how ODA will be used will be considered as part of the ongoing spending review. Reducing the overall size of the…01 Apr 2025HANSARDUK-Mauritius Treaty: Chagos IslandsI have answered questions on that matter a number of times in this House. This Government will not scrimp on security. The base on Diego Garcia will be secured for ourselves and…01 Apr 2025