Kenya: Kenyan Emergency

Debate between Baroness Warsi and Lord Hamilton of Epsom

Tuesday 18th June 2013 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Warsi]

I think the noble Lord will accept that by acknowledging the wrongs and expressing deep regret for what happened during that period, the Government have gone much further than previous Governments. I am not aware of the answer to the noble Lord’s specific question on archives but if there is an answer I will certainly write to him.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom]

Does my noble friend accept that during the emergency tens of thousands of Africans were killed by the Mau Mau, many of them for not joining the Mau Mau? Are the Kenya Government doing anything to pay compensation to the victims who were tortured by the Mau Mau?

[Baroness Warsi]

My Lords, I do not intend to answer this question with a view to reopening the debate about the rights and wrongs of that period. Nor do I feel that it is appropriate for me to comment on how the Kenyan Government should respond to this.

Egypt: Elections

Debate between Baroness Warsi and Lord Hamilton of Epsom

Thursday 24th January 2013 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Warsi]

The noble Baroness makes an important point. I can assure her that the Government have been raising the issue of women’s rights both in relation to the election and more widely, such as the way in which the rights of women have been drafted into the current constitution. I also assure her that in my discussions next month, women’s rights will certainly be raised. This Minister certainly does not need prompting to raise them.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom]

Is my noble friend confident that there will be elections in Egypt this year or will it be yet another question of one man, one vote, once?

International Law: Use of Drones

Debate between Baroness Warsi and Lord Hamilton of Epsom

Tuesday 20th November 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom]

My Lords, does my noble friend accept that if a drone can remain poised for some hours above a target, it is less likely to create collateral damage than almost any other form of shelling, or the missiles to which the noble Lord referred, or any other form of trying to kill people?

[Baroness Warsi]

My noble friend is probably more of an expert on these matters than I am. I cannot answer that question; I am not familiar enough with the practice of how drones would operate over lengthy periods.

EU: UK Balance of Trade

Debate between Baroness Warsi and Lord Hamilton of Epsom

Wednesday 14th November 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Warsi]

It may well be that the noble Lord’s understanding of history and circumstances is very different from mine. From what I recall—and I am sure many Members of the House would agree—if anybody deserves great credit for fighting the great campaign to keep us out of the euro, it is my current boss, my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom]

My noble friend told the House that 45% of our exports go to the EU. However, if quite a bit of that 45% is going to Antwerp and Rotterdam for onward shipment to countries outside the EU, would she accept that the 45% figure is not accurate?

[Baroness Warsi]

There is some writing on this as to whether the statistics are accurate because of the “Antwerp effect” where goods are actually for another destination but show that they are passing to Europe. I asked officials specifically about this matter and they informed me that the information they have from BIS is that the ONS does record the final destination. However, I cannot be specific as to how accurate these figures are.

Private Military and Security Companies

Debate between Baroness Warsi and Lord Hamilton of Epsom

Tuesday 30th October 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Warsi]

The Government are discussing that with the UK auditing service. It will propose an independent auditing body or bodies which will effectively then regulate and ensure that the code is being properly implemented.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom]

Will my noble friend confirm that one reason why piracy has been reduced so radically is the use of private security companies on merchant shipping going through pirate-infested areas?

[Baroness Warsi]

It has been a contributory factor.