Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Lord Hayward
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
I assure the noble Baroness that the FCDO is not in turmoil. The way I look at it is that defence, diplomacy and development work closely together. They are all needed in order to keep this country safe and to ensure stability. We have focus and diplomatic focus, despite the fact that we are making changes to the structure of the organisation, which were left incomplete following the merger of two large government departments. Our commitment to defence, diplomacy and development remains as true as it ever has been.
Lord Hayward (Con)
My Lords, does the Minister not find it slightly embarrassing that she should give the answer that she did to the noble Lord that she knows nothing about a committee formed in the House of Commons in relation to such an important matter?
Embassy of China: Proposed New Site
Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Lord Hayward(1 year, 6 months ago)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
As many noble Lords who have experience of the planning process will understand, this is a quasi-judicial process. It is right that the Home Secretary and the Foreign Secretary have submitted letters outlining their thoughts on this. These will be considered in the usual way by the inspectorate. This is an open process; other noble Lords and interested parties will be able to make representations.
Lord Hayward (Con)
My Lords, the Minister responded by not answering the question put to her as to why Cabinet Ministers wrote the letter that they did without noting the submission from the Metropolitan Police, let alone the one from Tower Hamlets Council. Can the Minister clarify why Cabinet Ministers wrote as they did, disregarding the advice from the Metropolitan Police?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
That is not correct. The Home Secretary and the Foreign Secretary wrote expressing their consideration of national security issues, which they would like to be taken into account by the Planning Inspectorate. The Met withdrew its concerns of its own accord. I understand that the officers at Tower Hamlets Council recommended approval but the elected members decided that they did not wish to approve the application, as they had every right to do.