Ministerial Correction

Monday 29th January 2024 Ministerial Corrections

Monday 29 January 2024

Defence

Monday 29th January 2024 Ministerial Corrections

Situation in the Red Sea

The following is an extract from the debate on the Situation in the Red Sea on Wednesday 24 January 2024.

[Anthony Mangnall]

I apologise for interrupting the Defence Secretary. On the shipping side of things, there has been an extraordinary reduction in confidence in that route. The only way to restore the confidence of ships to pass through the gulf of Aden and up through the Red sea is an increase in military convoys. I am sure he is coming to this, but what steps are being taken to drive up military convoys to escort vessels through that passage?

[Grant Shapps]

…Last week, I was onboard HMS Diamond —which is right at the heart of the issue in the Red sea —talking to our brave sailors who are out there protecting our critical sea lanes. The House will know that this is the first Royal Navy ship’s company for 32 years who have fired in anger—or in self-defence, in their case.

[Official Report, 24 January 2024, Vol. 744, c. 350.]

Letter of correction from the Secretary of State for Defence, the right hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Grant Shapps):

An error has been identified in my response to my hon. Friend the Member for Totnes (Anthony Mangnall) in the debate on the Situation in the Red Sea.

The correct response should have been:

[Grant Shapps]

…Last week, I was onboard HMS Diamond —which is right at the heart of the issue in the Red sea—talking to our brave sailors who are out there protecting our critical sea lanes. The House will know that this is the first Royal Navy ship’s company for 32 years to fire at an aerial target in anger—and in self-defence, in their case.