Speeches by Michael Moore MP

Current Speeches

• Jul-2008

  • International Development Questions - Afghanistan - 16-Jul-2008

    May I associate myself and my hon. Friends with the tribute paid to our armed forces in Afghanistan and to the many brave officials in the right hon. Gentleman’s Department, in other Government bodies and in British non-governmental organisations who put themselves at great risk for long periods? Recent reports from the World Bank and the agency co-ordinating body for Afghan relief have been highly critical both of the failure to deliver on pr...« Read More »

  • Reconstructing Afghanistan - 10-Jul-2008

    What a debate this has been. Like many right hon. and hon. Members, I have spent many an hour in Westminster Hall over the years, but few of them have been as worth while as the past two.
    
    Let me be the latest to pay tribute to my right hon. Friend the Member for Gordon (Malcolm Bruce), to all the members of the Select Committee who are here this afternoon, and to others who have participated in the debate. The debate has neatly summ...« Read More »

  • Scottish Questions - Commonwealth Games - 09-Jul-2008

    May I through you, Mr. Speaker, take this opportunity to pay tribute to David Marshall? He was a stalwart of Scottish questions and will be sorely missed in the Chamber. He had many friends across the House and we on these Benches wish to express all our best wishes to him and his family. If he were here, I am sure that he would also be pressing the Minister on this issue. We are all ambitious for the opportunities that the Commonwealth games ...« Read More »

• Jun-2008

  • International Development Questions - World Food Prices - 11-Jun-2008

    On that latter point, I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will ensure that the subject is discussed with President Bush when he visits this weekend. The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that the World Food Programme produced a report this week that highlights the fact that in recent years, as prices for commodities have soared, the volume of aid provided has declined steeply. On food aid, will he give a commitment that his Department’s purc...« Read More »

  • Scottish Questions - Fishing - 04-Jun-2008

    Does the Minister believe that the moratorium is legal? What steps are he and his colleagues taking to tackle that issue? More broadly on quotas, he will be aware that as a result of the climate conditions in the North Sea and of boats not leaving the harbour because of the fuel crisis, the east coast nephrops fishery in the Farne deeps is down 50 per cent. this year. Given those circumstances, will he give an assurance that there will be no r...« Read More »

• May-2008

  • Opposition Day Debate - Burma - 14-May-2008

    It is a pleasure to follow the Secretary of State. Like him, I join the shadow Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr. Mitchell), and others across the Chamber in expressing sympathy for the people who have lost family members and friends and who even at this moment have no idea what their future will be after this unimaginable disaster of the past 10 days.
    
    I welcome the statement that was part of the Secretary...« Read More »

  • Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) - 14-May-2008

    It is a pleasure to follow on from the hon. Member for Falkirk (Mr. Joyce), and I pay tribute to him for the significant work that he and his colleagues do on the all-party groups on Africa. He referred to his close interest in Rwanda, but I know that his interest extends to the whole region. I am delighted that he could contribute to the debate.
    
    The hon. Gentleman is not the first hon. Member to be drawn into the Chamber by the ora...« Read More »

  • Northern Ireland Questions - Prison Population - 14-May-2008

    May I join all others, including the Minister, in condemning the callous and cowardly attack on the police officer on Monday night and wish him a speedy recovery? I wish equally that we will have a speedy return to justice for those who perpetrated this deed. It is appropriate that we pay tribute once again to the courage and bravery of all those who serve in the PSNI and other services.
    
    On some estimates, the prison population in N...« Read More »

  • Debate on the International Development Select Committee Report on Sanitation and Water - 01-May-2008

    Thank you, Mr. Bayley, for calling me and I apologise to the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) that he has to listen to me in the meantime. [Laughter.]« Read More »

• Apr-2008

  • International Development Questions - Global Food Crisis - 30-Apr-2008

    The Secretary of State is right to draw attention to the increasingly alarming reports of rising food prices and the resulting food shortages. At yesterday’s summit in Geneva, it was reported that the emergency appeal for assistance had reached barely half its target. I acknowledge the Government’s contribution, but the Secretary of State spoke of calls for international co-ordination. What tangible steps are our European partners and the G8 c...« Read More »

  • Scottish Questions - Electricity Generation - 23-Apr-2008

    Regardless of how Scotland’s electricity supply is produced, people across the country are facing massively increased fuel bills. That is particularly true in rural areas. Will the Minister therefore explain how the abolition of the 10p rate of income tax is going to help with the Government’s stated aim of abolishing fuel poverty?« Read More »

  • Situation in Darfur - 01-Apr-2008

    I am delighted to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, West (John Barrett) in this important debate. It has been brief but passionate. I add my congratulations to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East (James Duddridge) on securing this debate and on introducing it in a comprehensive fashion. We have had telling contributions and interventions from Members on both sides of the Chamber. We heard from the right hon. Member fo...« Read More »

• Mar-2008

  • Northern Ireland Questions - Fuel Smuggling - 26-Mar-2008

    Whether or not the situation is getting worse, the Minister is right to say that it is very serious. Will he give the House an assurance that he is satisfied that the cross-border arrangements are working satisfactorily? Given that some of the worsening situation seems to have been attributed to the merger of Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue a couple of years ago, will he assure us that the proposed merger between the Assets Recovery ...« Read More »

  • Access To Safer Water In The Developing World - 19-Mar-2008

    May I be the latest in the line to congratulate the hon. Member for North-East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) on his impressive leadership on this issue and the fact that he has secured this debate today? In doing so, he has allowed us the opportunity to reflect on one of the biggest challenges that the world faces and one of the most important issues that we, as a rich developed country, must tackle, and we must help others to tackle it, too. ...« Read More »

  • Questions to the Secretary of State for International Development - Gaza - 12-Mar-2008

    I join other Members in condemning the violence on both sides of the conflict. I also join the Secretary of State in acknowledging the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
    
    In response to a couple of questions, the Secretary of State has said that international bodies are there to judge whether Israel is in breach of its international obligations. Does he agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) that Isra...« Read More »

  • Debate - International Health Partnership - 06-Mar-2008

    After the sometimes stormy weather in Parliament this week, it is a real pleasure to be in the relative oasis of calm consensus. It has been instructive to listen while the Minister and the Conservative spokesman have introduced the debate. The problem with consensus is that by the time the third person speaks, many of the best statistics and points have been mentioned. I do not wish to try your patience, Lady Winterton, or that of my colleagu...« Read More »

• Feb-2008

  • Lisbon Treaty: EU (Amendment) Bill - 25-Feb-2008

    It is a real pleasure and privilege to follow the hon. Member for City of York (Hugh Bayley). As he has reminded the House and demonstrated, he has a long and proud track record on this particular policy area and has rightly put the key principles of the treaty at the heart of this afternoon’s debate.
    
    I also thank the shadow Secretary of State for his generous welcome to me. I was particularly pleased with his suggestion of consensu...« Read More »

• Jan-2008

  • International Development Questions - Gaza - 30-Jan-2008

    We are appalled by the scale of the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, but does the Secretary of State agree that we have reached an extraordinary state of affairs when a UN representative can say:
    
    “Gaza is on the threshold of becoming the first territory to be intentionally reduced to a state of abject destitution, with the...acquiescence...of the international community”?
    
    We all condemn the rocket attacks on Israel, ...« Read More »

  • Scottish Questions - Future of ITV Border - 23-Jan-2008

    What recent discussions he has had with the Chief Executive of Ofcom on the future of broadcasting in Scotland.« Read More »

• Nov-2007

  • Foreign Office Questions - Kosovo - 20-Nov-2007

    The whole House recognises the sensitivity of the situation in Kosovo and in the wider Balkans, and would also agree that we must ask Kosovan politicians not to rush to any unilateral declaration of independence. Does the Foreign Secretary accept that in return for that restraint the international community must not jettison the basic principles of the Ahtisaari proposals, which seek to ensure the rights of the Serb minority and set out a path...« Read More »

  • Queen's Speech Debate: Foreign Affairs and Defence - 12-Nov-2007

    It is a real privilege and pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for Torfaen (Mr. Murphy). Throughout the House, we recognise his expertise on the matters he touched on and the unique perspective that his vital work and success in Northern Ireland allows him to bring to such debates. I am sure that his comments on Sri Lanka, the middle east and other issues will strike a chord throughout the Chamber.
    
    As others have noted, Remembr...« Read More »

  • Statement on Pakistan - 07-Nov-2007

    I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s statement and, like the shadow Foreign Secretary and the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I echo his sentiments about yesterday’s tragedy in Afghanistan. As he said, that is an issue that we shall need to debate in due course.
    
    The Liberal Democrats recognise the serious internal security challenges that Pakistan faces, not only now but over many years. Like others, we condemn the suspensio...« Read More »

• Oct-2007

  • Foreign Office Questions - European Reform Treaty - 09-Oct-2007

    At the centre of this debate is the status of the charter of fundamental rights. The timely and useful report from the European Scrutiny Committee raises a number of issues about it. In particular, it highlights the potential imbalance between the general obligation on the Court of Justice to ensure the uniform application of union law and the protocol secured by the Government, which seeks to ensure that the charter does not extend the abilit...« Read More »

• Sep-2007

  • Foreign Affairs Speech to Liberal Democrat Conference - 18-Sep-2007

    Conference,

    Our annual gatherings by the sea are always busy affairs. And this year is no exception. A hectic agenda, a frantic fringe, the odd packed bar here and there. A chance to sort the world out and a chance to catch up with old friends.

    In the hubbub, it’s understandable that you can miss people. But this year there is one person in particular whom we all miss acutely.

    It was a terrible shock a few weeks ago to...« Read More »

• Jul-2007

  • Foreign Office Questions - Gaza and West Bank - 03-Jul-2007

    May I be the latest in what will be a very long line of people wishing you a happy birthday today, Mr. Speaker? I, too, welcome the Foreign Secretary to his appointment. There is probably never an easy time to take on that important role, but we on the Liberal Democrat Benches wish him every success.

    Returning to the appointment of the former Prime Minister as the Quartet’s special envoy, he has been described by the White House as an “...« Read More »

• Jun-2007

  • Urgent Question - Gaza Strip - 18-Jun-2007

    We all despair about the events in Gaza last week, which are merely the latest terrible twist in a depressing downward spiral in the occupied territories. We must be clear that the power struggle between Fatah and Hamas has been the cause of the bloodletting, but does the Minister accept that the desperate economic situation in the occupied territories, exacerbated by Israeli, American and European sanctions against the Palestinian Authority, ...« Read More »

  • Opposition Day Debate - Iraq Inquiry - 11-Jun-2007

    The Foreign Secretary’s statement that nothing has changed in the Government’s position since October will not have been a surprise; none the less, it will be a disappointment to the House. It appears to all intents and purposes that the Government are still trying to avoid an inquiry, while hinting that there will be one. They are simply ducking the question of when.

    The Foreign Secretary said that many Ministers and others have made t...« Read More »

  • Foreign Office Questions: Iran - 05-Jun-2007

    Iran’s continued flouting of its nuclear obligations is worrying and unacceptable, and the international community must be clear and united in delivering that message. Does the Foreign Secretary agree that the diplomatic initiatives by Condoleezza Rice have been consistent with those of Europe and others in efforts to make Iran comply with United Nations resolutions? If so, does the Foreign Secretary agree that Vice-President Cheney’s recent s...« Read More »

  • Government Debate: Darfur - 05-Jun-2007

    It is a pleasure and privilege to follow the right hon. Member for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill (Mr. Clarke), who has a long and distinguished career and interest in this field. He spoke about many themes, to some of which I will inevitably return. However, I particularly wish to pick up his point about the need to support and recognise the efforts of those who volunteer for the humanitarian front line and take great risks in working alo...« Read More »

• May-2007

  • European Constitution - 01-May-2007

    Mr. Michael Moore (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) (LD): It is obvious that two years in the deep freeze has done nothing to alter the flavour of this debate, in this place and elsewhere. Does the Foreign Secretary at least accept that we must have a proper public debate about the issues? Any significant changes, other than overdue institutional alterations, cannot be introduced by stealth. Will she publish the answers to the questi...« Read More »

• Mar-2007

  • Statement on Iran: British Hostages - 28-Mar-2007

    May I echo the thanks to the Foreign Secretary expressed by the right hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Hague) for coming to the House to make this statement? I also thank her for all the information that she and her officials have made available to us.

    We share the Government’s anger and concern about this illegal abduction of UK service personnel. Our thoughts are with them and their families. It is outrageous that Iran has compound...« Read More »

  • Digital Switchover - 27-Mar-2007

    I assure the Minister that that issue was raised at the borders digital forum last week—but may I draw his attention to another issue? Digital TV providers are rightly promoting early adoption of the technology required for digital switchover, which means that older people and people in vulnerable groups are already converting their sets ahead of the availability of the financial assistance scheme later in the year. Will he explain why his col...« Read More »

  • Statement on Zimbabwe - 26-Mar-2007

    I echo the comments of the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) in thanking the Minister for an advance copy of the statement. The Minister has made a powerful case against Mugabe this afternoon and the whole House will be grateful to him for doing that. He did not pull his punches in his description of Mugabe’s monstrous regime. I invite him to be more robust about the countries of southern Africa. Frankly, people are despairing at So...« Read More »

  • Zimbabwe - 20-Mar-2007

    The House is united in its condemnation of the brutality of the Mugabe regime and in its tribute to the bravery of Morgan Tsvangirai and countless others who refuse to be cowed by the oppression of Zimbabwe’s thugs. We certainly support the tightening of existing sanctions from Europe and the contemplation of new ones, as has just been discussed.

    Returning to the subject of South Africa, can the Foreign Secretary confirm that South Afri...« Read More »

  • Speech to Liberal Democrat Conference - Foreign Affairs - 03-Mar-2007

    
    Conference,

    This month in Europe we reach an important milestone. On the 25th of March it will be fifty years since the signing of the Treaty of Rome. A landmark treaty which changed the face of our continent.

    It’s an appropriate time for us to pause and reflect. About how far we have come, and how much things have changed.

    Because fifty years on, it’s too easy to forget the challenges Europe faced. Ravaged by world...« Read More »

• Feb-2007

  • Rebalancing the UK'S Foreign Policy: The United Kingdom's 'Special Relationship with Europe' - 28-Feb-2007

    Introduction

    It is a great pleasure to be asked here today to give this talk at Chatham House.

    For the past three years I have been a member of Council.

    But like so many, my connections with the Royal Institute go back to my student days when ‘International Affairs’ was a regular source of salvation when looking for inspiration for essays or at times of exam revision.

    Desperate students are a key source of support ...« Read More »

  • Foreign Office Questions-Middle East - 20-Feb-2007

    The significant steps towards a national unity Government are very welcome, but everyone will agree that the three key principles of the Quartet must be adhered to. Following the question by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Richard Burden), does the Foreign Secretary agree that it is important that the international community should show the Palestinian people that it recognises the progress that has been made? Surely this is the ti...« Read More »

• Jan-2007

  • Oral Questions To The Treasury-Tax Credits - 25-Jan-2007

    Like other hon. Members, many of my constituents continue to suffer because of overpayment difficulties. I wish to raise one specific area. Does the Paymaster General agree that where a couple in an overpayment situation have separated and one has paid their share of what is due, it is invidious to pursue that person for the dues owed by their ex-partner, who has often separated in difficult circumstances?« Read More »

• Dec-2006

  • Urgent Question-Iraq - 12-Dec-2006

    The House will be immensely grateful to the Secretary of State for coming here today, but as the shadow Foreign Secretary has said, most folk will find it extraordinary that nearly a week after the publication of the Iraq Study Group report in the United States the Prime Minister has still not come to the House to make a full statement. That is particularly true given—as has been pointed out—that he was quick enough to fly across the Atlantic ...« Read More »

  • European Affairs Debate - 06-Dec-2006

    I draw the attention of the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Interests.

    This debate has certain traditions, one of which for me is to follow the right hon. Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz). It is a pleasure to do so, as he has spoken a lot of good sense about the issues facing Europe. The debate also always has a slightly surreal quality, which has been honoured by the references to plumbing and the idea that the Eurov...« Read More »

  • Questions to Foreign Secretary-Cluster Munitions - 05-Dec-2006

    In the past couple of weeks, we have begun a useful debate on this subject in Parliament, and I pay tribute to Landmine Action and others for the work that they do in this area.

    May I press the Minister on his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Willie Rennie)? The right hon. Gentleman did not tell us why, if it is a matter of principle to get rid of dumb cluster munitions, it will take until the middle of ...« Read More »

• Nov-2006

  • International Affairs Debate on the Queen's Speech - 22-Nov-2006

    I draw the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Interests.

    It is always a pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for Islwyn (Mr. Touhig). He was always courteous and a pleasure to deal with as a Minister in the Ministry of Defence. I regret to tell him that some cases, not least that of Mr. John Horsman, still need to be resolved, but I always appreciated his efforts on his and other people’s behalf. He has set out...« Read More »

  • Farepak Debate - 07-Nov-2006

    Is not the response of HBOS staggering? It has taken a legalistic route, but not only are people denied money that is theirs, they are now forced into the loan-shark regime, which will mean taking on debts that they probably cannot hope ever to repay.« Read More »

  • Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland - Digital Broadcasting - 07-Nov-2006

    I attended the conference that the Minister addressed and I pay tribute to the fact that he is taking a close personal interest in the subject. He will be aware that huge numbers of people in rural areas depend for their television signal on relay transmitters, rather than main transmitters. Under the current plans, many of them thus stand to get a second-tier service after switchover because they will receive only a fraction of the available ...« Read More »

• Oct-2006

  • Iraq Debate - 31-Oct-2006

    Mr. Michael Moore (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) (LD): This is a very important debate, and anybody who doubted the need for it just needs to cast their eye over some of the recent estimates produced by, among others, the United Nations, which points out that some 3,000 civilians are being killed every month. Some 100 United States military personnel have been killed in October alone—the highest figure since the initial invasion...« Read More »

  • Foreign Office Questions-Darfur - 31-Oct-2006

    The whole House is united in its horror and disgust at the killings and suffering in Darfur, the scale of which was underlined by the expelled UN envoy Jan Pronk, when he said that the Sudanese armed forces

    “are trampling all over”

    Darfur

    “and are still trying to gain a military victory.”

    Further to the question by the hon. Member for Buckingham, will the Minister tell us whether enforcement of the no-fly ...« Read More »

  • Urgent Questions to Foreign Secretary-North Korea - 10-Oct-2006

    We join the unanimity across the House in condemning the nuclear test by North Korea. It is a dangerous development, not just for the region but for the world as a whole. We also firmly support the efforts in the Security Council to drive through tough sanctions against the regime. We join with others on both sides of the House in stressing the need for China and Russia to recognise their responsibilities and to support these measures. However...« Read More »

• Sep-2006

  • Foreign Policy Speech to Conference - 16-Sep-2006

    In the past week, we have been remembering the terrible events of 9/11. Five years on from that awful day, the ripples from Ground Zero are still being felt. Bali, Turkey, Spain and London. – the list of atrocities grows longer as the years roll on. And across the world, the reasons, and the consequences, are still barely understood.

    But as we continue to reflect on the personal tragedies of the families in the United States, and the ...« Read More »

• Jul-2006

  • Oral Questions to the Foreign Secretary-Middle East Crisis - 25-Jul-2006

    We welcome the hard-hitting comments made by the Minister for the Middle East during his visit to the region at the weekend. We would go further and repeat the view, as Kofi Annan has said, that there should be an immediate ceasefire. Hezbollah and Hamas must return the soldiers and stop their attacks. But will the Foreign Secretary accept that, for as long as the United States, and, by extension, the United Kingdom, tolerate the disproportion...« Read More »

  • International Affairs - 20-Jul-2006

    It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Ilford, South (Mike Gapes), with whom I worked closely when we both served on the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. He, along with the Select Committee, is doing excellent work. I join him and others in welcoming this afternoon’s debate and especially the Foreign Secretary’s commitment.

    There are honestly and strongly held differences of opinion in the House about the reasons for the con...« Read More »

  • Statement on Developments in the Middle East - 17-Jul-2006

    People across the world continue to be sickened and appalled by events in the Middle East. We echo the Minister’s condolences and share his concerns about the plight of United Kingdom citizens and others. Amidst all the complexities of the region, the kidnapping of the Israeli soldiers must continue to be condemned as the trigger of the crisis. They must be returned unharmed and nobody should deny Israel its right of self-defence. However, the...« Read More »

  • Analogue Switch-Off Debate - 06-Jul-2006

    Thank you, Sir John. Let me be the first to pay tribute to the hon. Member for Maldon and East Chelmsford (Mr. Whittingdale) and the work of his Committee. In its comprehensive report and the evidence that it gathered for the inquiry, it has done not only the House but the country more broadly a great service. The report addresses many important issues that I shall now touch on.

    Like the hon. Gentleman, I have thought long and hard about...« Read More »

• Jun-2006

  • Iraq - 27-Jun-2006

    The Iraqi Prime Minister’s announcement on Sunday was indeed welcome. Yesterday, the White House confirmed that it was considering a steep reduction in the number of US troops in Iraq. To what extent have British Ministers been involved in those discussions? Does the fact that Italian and Japanese withdrawals are going ahead mean that we can finally expect a statement on a comprehensive strategy to prepare the way for the withdrawal of British...« Read More »

  • European Affairs Debate - 14-Jun-2006

    It is a real pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Lanark and Hamilton, East (Mr. Hood), especially given the comments that he made about the scrutiny of European legislation in this House and elsewhere. I am especially grateful to him for the generous way in which he handled the constructive interventions from the hon. Members for Moray (Angus Robertson) and for Glasgow, South-West(Mr. Davidson) who, mysteriously, are no longer in their plac...« Read More »

• Apr-2006

  • Process of United Nations Reform - 18-Apr-2006

    This has been an important and impressive debate. Like others, I pay tribute to the hon. Member for City of Durham (Dr. Blackman-Woods) for securing the debate and setting out the issues so comprehensively at the outset. I extend that tribute to those who went on what was clearly a worthwhile visit to the United Nations. I echo the comments made about the value of going to the UN to see for oneself its range of activities and its complexities....« Read More »

  • Statement by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office - British Nationals Abroad - 16-Apr-2006

    On the Liberal Democrat Benches we, too, welcome the statement and the publication of the new guide. I echo the tributes paid to consular staff, who have often in recent times been called upon to cope with unimaginable and traumatic situations, in addition to all the duties that they perform with professionalism and dedication day in, day out.

    In responding to the lessons learned from those catastrophes and the criticisms from the recen...« Read More »

• Mar-2006

  • Statement by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office-European Council - 27-Mar-2006

    The House is united in its condemnation of the elections in Belarus, which were a travesty of democracy, in marked contrast to the experiences next door in Ukraine. The Foreign Secretary says that the matters being considered include travel bans, but exactly how watertight will they be, given the way in which people such as Mr. Mugabe have ignored or flouted similar efforts?

    We welcome the summit's focus on research and development, uni...« Read More »

  • Statement by the Ministry of Defence- Iraq-Roulement - 13-Mar-2006

    I echo the condolences expressed by the Secretary of State and the hon. Member for Aldershot (Mr. Howarth) to the families and friends who have lost loved ones in Iraq. I also endorse the tributes paid to the bravery and professionalism of our armed forces, who continue to operate in Iraq in very difficult circumstances indeed.

    Today's statement has mixed elements. On the one hand, the Secretary of State acknowledges the danger of civil...« Read More »

• Feb-2006

  • Statement by the Ministry of Defence-Defence Procurement - 02-Feb-2006

    I begin by echoing the tribute that the right hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Dr. Strang) paid to the late Rachel Squire, who is sadly missed in all parts of the House not simply because she was an acknowledged defence expert and someone whom the House listened to on the subject, but because she worked unfailingly on a range of activities on her constituents' behalf for many years. She is sadly missed indeed.

    I echo the tributes that b...« Read More »

• Jan-2006

  • Statement by the Ministry of Defence - Afghanistan - 26-Jan-2006

    As I made clear yesterday, Liberal Democrats continue to back the international consensus of support on Afghanistan and agree with the aims set out by the Secretary of State in his comprehensive statement and the answers that he has given us thus far. Sadly, we cannot escape the fact that the country remains in a parlous state and that the new mission will be fraught with danger, especially in the south. We, like others, pay tribute to the bra...« Read More »

• Dec-2005

  • Statement by the Ministry of Defence - Defence Industrial Strategy - 15-Dec-2005

    I begin by associating myself and my colleagues with the tributes that the Secretary of State paid to our armed forces. This is indeed a very significant statement that will have far-reaching consequences for United Kingdom defence and its supporting industries. As has been acknowledged, we will all need time to study the 140 pages of detail, and I would also welcome the chance of a debate early in the new year on the strategy. But we certainl...« Read More »

  • Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Afghanistan - 12-Dec-2005

    First, may I associate myself with the comments of the Secretary of State and of others about the bravery of our armed forces wherever they serve throughout the world? We have particular thoughts for them at this time of year.

    Following the NATO ministerial meeting last week, the Secretary-General stressed that the organisation could not work in a void and that other international actors should stay equally committed. Within NATO, can t...« Read More »

  • Armed Forces Bill-Second Reading - 12-Dec-2005

    It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Linda Gilroy), both because of the issues that she raised, to some of which I shall return, and because of her work on the Defence Committee. The Committee's work is very important to the quality of our debate. The right hon. Member for North-East Hampshire (Mr. Arbuthnot) is present and he may wish to speak later.

    Let me also belatedly congratulate the new shadow Secretar...« Read More »

• Nov-2005

  • Defence in the UK Debate - 17-Nov-2005

    The hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Kilfoyle) made some important points, to which I hope to return. I join in the earlier tributes to the right hon. and learned Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram). In the past three or four years, I have sat through many foreign affairs and defence debates in which he has participated. I have listened to many of his speeches. We have not always agreed—we may not do so on certain matters this afternoon—but ...« Read More »

  • Statement by the Secretary of State for Defence - Defence Airfields Review - 17-Nov-2005

    However inelegantly the information may have got into the public domain, I am sure that all hon. Members welcome the fact that the Minister has come here today to make the statement and has brought greater clarity, at least for some. He has made welcome announcements for communities in Moray, but many in Cornwall, notwithstanding his comments about reports from there, will be disappointed.

    Does the uncertainty about the need for a secon...« Read More »

  • Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence - Iraq - 14-Nov-2005

    Following the Iraqi President's welcome statement yesterday and the Secretary of State's comments today, can he give the House more detail about the latest assessment made by the joint committee on transferring security responsibility? He identified 35 battalions that can lead missions with international support. What are the barriers to their being able to work without support and how close are they to achieving that objective? After last wee...« Read More »

  • Statement by the Ministry of Defence - Modernising Logistics Provision - 08-Nov-2005

    The Minister's statement was important and I am grateful to him for providing an advance copy.

    No one would dispute that we must modernise logistics provision for the armed forces, but anyone who has studied reports from the Defence Committee and the NAO will be aware of the massive gap between aspiration and reality. The cost overruns highlighted by the Minister's own answers to parliamentary questions make the situation worse, not bet...« Read More »

  • Urgent Question to the Ministry of Defence - Court Martial Judgement - 07-Nov-2005

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the collapse of the court martial of seven paratroopers from the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, accused of murdering an Iraqi civilian two years ago.« Read More »

• Oct-2005

  • Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence - Afghanistan - 17-Oct-2005

    There was welcome progress in Afghanistan at the recent elections, but the security situation has become more perilous ahead of the extension of NATO's ISAF role. If the Secretary of State cannot yet confirm the number of British troops to be deployed, can he clarify whether counter-insurgency and peacekeeping roles are to be merged under NATO? If not, how close will the synergies be? Is it clear yet that the United States will supply addition...« Read More »

  • Statement by the Secretary of State for Defence - Iraq - 10-Oct-2005

    The whole House will be grateful to the Secretary of State for making his comprehensive statement this afternoon, immediately on our return. I join him and the shadow Secretary of State in offering condolences to the families and loved ones of those in the British armed forces who have given their lives on active service.

    I also pay tribute to the continued bravery, dedication and professionalism of those in the armed forces who serve in...« Read More »

• Jul-2005

  • Defence In The World Debate - 07-Jul-2005

    The hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) has raised a very important matter, to which I hope to return later in my own remarks.

    The bomb blasts in London today have cast a terrible shadow over the whole country and this afternoon's debate and I associate myself with the comments of the Secretary of State for Defence and the shadow Defence Secretary. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those caught up in these terrible incidents and to t...« Read More »

  • Oral Questions To The Secretary Of State For Defence - Sudan - 04-Jul-2005

    As the hon. Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Ellwood) pointed out, the world's attention on the Make Poverty History campaign has put more focus on the devastated, poverty and conflicted-ridden regions such as Darfur. We certainly believe that there should be more urgency in the international community's efforts to find a peaceful solution, but we welcome the Government's contributions so far. Will the Secretary of State confirm how much of a...« Read More »

• Jun-2005

  • Oral Questions To The Secretary Of State For Defence - Nuclear Deterrent - 06-Jun-2005

    On behalf of my right hon. and hon. Friends, I join the Secretary of State in passing on our condolences to the families and friends of servicemen who have recently given their lives while serving this country.
    
    The strategic nuclear deterrent has been a crucial aspect of Britain's defences in the post-war period, and we continue to support it. We recognise that there are rapidly changing threats to the United Kingdom and the rest o...« Read More »

• May-2005

  • Debate On The Address: Foreign Affairs And Defence - 18-May-2005

    It is a great pleasure to follow the hon. Member for East Antrim (Sammy Wilson), who has certainly enlivened our debate. He said at the outset that he had been given three bits of advice, and taking two out of three was not bad in the circumstances.

    It was clear from some of the hon. Gentleman's remarks, particularly those about Europe, that we will not always agree with one another, but I do agree with what he said about the beauty of ...« Read More »

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