Recent parliamentary activity

Speeches

January 31, 2012: Informal European Council | Oral Answers to Questions - Justice | Commons debates

We will see whether your prediction is justified, Mr Speaker.

I begin by praising the pragmatism of the Prime Minister, although I confess to being somewhat surprised that my support for it is not shared throughout the Government Benches. It is especially welcome that he pursued over the weekend a policy of re-engagement with our European partners, which is essential to his long-term objectives of the promotion of growth and the extension of the single market.

January 26, 2012: Strategic Defence and Security Review | Bill Presented - Financial Services | Commons debates

They’re not around today.

January 26, 2012: Strategic Defence and Security Review | Bill Presented - Financial Services | Commons debates

The right hon. Gentleman has spoken at some length and with some eloquence about the uncertainties that the face defence of the UK, but has he considered the uncertainties that would face the defence of the UK were there to be an independent Scotland—not least for Scotland, but for all the rest of the United Kingdom? Our reputation and our capability are well recognised; how far does he think these would be capable of being sustained in the event that there was an independent Scotland?

January 26, 2012: Strategic Defence and Security Review | Bill Presented - Financial Services | Commons debates

Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?

January 26, 2012: Strategic Defence and Security Review | Bill Presented - Financial Services | Commons debates

First, I should apologise for being unable to be present at the beginning of the debate due to other responsibilities.

My right hon. Friend is right to say that the basing decisions have caused a great deal of disappointment. In the case of my constituency, the closure of RAF Leuchars, which has provided nearly 100 years of service in aerial warfare, has been particularly difficult to accept. Part of the argument in favour of that closure was that there would be specific deployments of units of the Army to occupy the base. So far, very little detail has been made available. May I encourage my right hon. Friend to ensure that the announcements he has just foreshadowed will be made as soon as possible?

January 26, 2012: Strategic Defence and Security Review | Bill Presented - Financial Services | Commons debates

Will my right hon. Friend give way?

January 24, 2012: EU Sanctions (Iran) | Oral Answers to Questions - Treasury | Commons debates

I am sure that my right hon. Friend would have no difficulty in agreeing that the environment of the strait of Hormuz is potentially extremely dangerous. Having regard to the nature of our relations with Iran at the moment, what steps has he been taking to enlist the support of countries that have better relations with Iran than ourselves to ensure that it exercises restraint in the strait of Hormuz and does not, to put it rather dramatically, cause a conflagration?

January 18, 2012: Detainee Inquiry | Oral Answers to Questions - Prime Minister | Commons debates

As a member of the Intelligence and Security Committee, may I endorse the observations made by my right hon. and learned Friend and by the shadow Justice Secretary about the contribution that the security services make to the security of the nation? When the Gibson inquiry was first conceived, the hope was expressed that it might complete its work within one year. As events have subsequently proved, that prognosis was rather optimistic. May I say to my right hon. and learned Friend that I think that he has inevitably had to bow to the changed circumstances and that his announcement today is entirely sensible and will preserve all the issues that would otherwise have been dealt with by the Gibson inquiry?

January 17, 2012: Middle East | Oral Answers to Questions - Foreign and Commonwealth Office | Commons debates

Does my hon. Friend accept that the demolition of Palestinian homes and the continued construction of settlements on the west bank, not to mention the construction of new houses in East Jerusalem, will make it increasingly difficult to establish a viable Palestinian state and, in turn, make it impossible to reach a two-state solution?

January 10, 2012: Scotland’s Constitutional Future | Oral Answers to Questions - Health | Commons debates

I am well aware of the convention that Governments do not publish legal advice, but, as my right hon. Friend has pointed out, this is a decision that can almost be described as unique because it would bring to an end hundreds of years of history. May I therefore urge him to reconsider whether the advice received by the Government should be published so as to achieve the clarity that the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) spoke about in relation to statistics?

I welcome today’s announcement, especially because political, economic and social uncertainty for the next two years would be deeply damaging to the people of Scotland. Does my right hon. Friend join me in wondering why those who are so confident of the case for independence are so unwilling to countenance a referendum now? Could it be that the bravehearts are no longer quite so brave as before?

Written questions

February 1, 2012: Aircraft Carriers | Defence | Written Answers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) pursuant to the answer of 12 January 2012, Official Report, column 416W, on aircraft carriers, whether his Department has conducted, or plans to conduct, investigations into the compatibility of advanced arresting gear with the Joint Combat Aircraft; and whether it has contributed, or intends to contribute, resources to investigations carried out by the US;

(2) on what date his Department was first made aware of compatibility issues in relation to the advanced arresting gear and the Joint Combat Aircraft.

January 31, 2012: Sovereignty: Scotland | Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs | Written Answers

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications his Department has received from foreign governments in relation to the Scottish Government's policy of seeking independence for Scotland.

January 24, 2012: Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft | Defence | Written Answers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) when he last met his US counterpart to discuss the progress of the F35 programme;

(2) what progress reports on the F35 programme he has received from his US counterpart in the last 12 months.

January 24, 2012: Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft | Defence | Written Answers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what alternatives he considered to the deployment of the F35 Joint Strike Fighter on aircraft carriers.

January 18, 2012: Military Bases | Defence | Written Answers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Livingston of 5 September 2011, Official Report, column 89W, on military bases: Kirknewton, on what dates he discussed the proposed creation of an Army base at Kirknewton; what the (a) names and (b) positions held are of those who attended the discussions; and whether a written record was taken of the discussions.

January 12, 2012: Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft | Defence | Written Answers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has set a delivery timetable for the F35C Joint Strike Fighter.

January 12, 2012: Aircraft Carriers | Defence | Written Answers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the interoperability of the F35C's arresting hook system with aircraft carrier-based arresting gear; and if he will make a statement.

January 10, 2012: Military Bases | Defence | Written Answers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Defence Basing Review Team was provided with estimates of the cost of building new barracks at Kirknewton, West Lothian prior to 18 July 2011.

January 10, 2012: Military Bases | Defence | Written Answers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Edinburgh West of 5 September 2011, Official Report, column 91W, on military bases: Kirknewton, on what basis Kirknewton was assessed as offering best value for money; and if he will make a statement.

December 20, 2011: Air Force: Military Bases | Defence | Written Answers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will place in the Library a copy of each item of correspondence his Department has received from the Scottish Government on its RAF basing review.

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