"My Lords, while I welcome the Minister to his position, I too align myself with the disappointment at the removal of the Minister for Africa. The noble Lord, Lord Collins, was doing a sterling job, and I express the disappointment from all sides of the House.
"My Lords, I will speak in strong opposition to the Bill before us today, not only as a Member of your Lordships’ House but as a person, like all others—whatever side of the argument they are on, deeply committed to the values of compassion and dignity. I add to that …..." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech
"I declare an interest as an adviser to the Council of Arab Ambassadors. The previous UK Government played a bridging role. Indeed, I remember facilitating the first engagement between the hostage families—I spent an extensive amount of time with them—and the Qatari Administration. The intervention of Qatar and other partners …..." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech
"My Lords, I first join in the tributes to the noble Lord, Lord Collins. I sparred with him for over seven years as a Minister. His support both inside and outside the Chamber was not just welcome but often very important to ensure the unanimity of the focus of your …..." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech
"My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Hussain, for tabling this debate. Two lands, two people, two nuclear powers—yet, despite the borders that exist and the wars that have been fought, there is a shared history, intertwined with our own. It was two days in 1947, as the British …..." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech
"My Lords, the Minister will know of my interest in the issue of preventing sexual violence in conflict, as I led on that and have visited Sudan. What engagement has taken place with SRSG Patten at the UN? There should be a refocusing of support for survivors at the heart …..." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech
"My Lords, I thank the Minister, and I know how much she has been personally engaged in the region, particularly on the humanitarian elements of the ongoing and wider conflict. That is where I wish to focus my supplementary question. What assessment has she made of the impact on the …..." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech
"My Lords, I beg leave to ask a Question of which I have given private notice. In doing so, I draw attention to my entry in the register as chair of the International Communities Organisation’s advisory board and adviser to the Arab Ambassadors Council...." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech
"To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the situation in Syria, and in particular the impact of recent events upon the Druze community and the wider Middle East...." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech
"My Lords, one of the points raised consistently by the Minister is about Brexit and the legacy left. I am sure she would acknowledge, as she did in her original Answer, that all of the trade deals which are now being made are provided by the flexibility of the Brexit …..." Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - View Speech