My Lords, we would all agree that a toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz would be a great advantage for the world. Surely, strategically, Iran has demonstrated a capacity to close the strait, which will continue, and to hold the Gulf petrochemical areas at risk. Is it not therefore important th…
My Lords, over a long diplomatic career, I have seen a lot of the British Council’s work around the world and just how respected it is as a torch-bearer for British culture and education around the world. Is it true that the British Council has to dispose of properties and close down in a number of …
My Lords, before the first debate gets under way, I want to highlight the four-minute advisory time for Back-Bench contributions. This is designed to ensure that the debate can finish within three hours, in line with the usual timings for Thursday debates and so that the House can rise at a reasonab…
My Lords, I add my thanks to all the witnesses who contributed to this report, to the committee staff who worked so hard to bring it together and, not least, to the noble Lord, Lord Ricketts, for his excellent chairmanship and clear and comprehensive introduction to the report. In the limited time a…
We keep in constant and close contact with our friends and allies in the United States, on this and many other issues. Noble Lords will be aware of the phone call that took place between the Prime Minister and President Trump last night, where these issues were discussed. Obviously, I am not going t…
My Lords, while noting in the Lords register the interests in relation to my advice to PricewaterhouseCoopers and RIDNE, I strongly welcome this debate and the excellent opening speech by my noble friend Lord Coaker, bringing this debate to life—as he did 12 months ago, too. It is a real pleasure to…
My Lords, it is a privilege to speak in this debate. I congratulate my right reverend friend the Bishop of Peterborough on her excellent maiden speech, and I look forward to her insightful and wide-ranging contribution to the work of this House in the coming days, particularly drawing on her experie…