Mali

Debate between Lord Anderson of Swansea and Baroness Garden of Frognal

Tuesday 29th January 2013 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

The UK troops are there to provide training and not to impose any form of pre-arranged governance. They are to provide training so that they are better able to secure their land and to provide a peaceful resolution to the conflicts that have long pertained between the north and south of the country.

[Lord Anderson of Swansea]

My Lords, it is surely right that we support our French partners and allies in Anglophone and Francophone Africa. Without that urgent intervention, Bamako would have been taken and there would have been a terrorist base in west Africa. Does the Minister agree that the intervention was wholly in accordance with international law, following the United Nations resolution, and that ultimately there will have to be national reconciliation and some political solution rather than a military intervention against the Tuaregs and others in the north?

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

Indeed, as the noble Lord will be aware, there was a draft UN resolution in December, which authorised the deployment of an African-led mission to support efforts by national authorities to recover the north. Events moved more quickly than that, which is why the French intervened in the way that they did and why we are supporting them to try to ensure that stability is restored.

Olympic Games: British Companies

Debate between Lord Anderson of Swansea and Baroness Garden of Frognal

Tuesday 22nd May 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

Indeed, my Lords, the Government wholeheartedly support all the work that is going on to ensure that after the Games the contractors have a showcase for the outstanding work that they have done. Meanwhile, the Government in conjunction with UKTI and a number of other bodies are setting up visits, activities and promotional ways in which British business can be highlighted during the Games.

[Lord Anderson of Swansea]

My Lords, the Minister will be aware that in spite of brave promises at the outset of a regional spread of these contracts, the amount of contracts going to the regions has been miniscule but the amount going to London and the south-east has been massive. What lessons has she learnt from the way in which public money has been used to buttress only those firms in areas which are already relatively prosperous?

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

My Lords, a number of regional contracts have been awarded as well. They may be small in comparison with some of the London-based ones but some very significant contracts have gone to the regions. We certainly hope that in the course of the Games when the highlight is on the UK generally, we will be able to promote those areas which are showing innovation and creativity in their business.

World Cup: Football

Debate between Lord Anderson of Swansea and Baroness Garden of Frognal

Wednesday 8th December 2010 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

My Lords, one of the aspects of the Sunday Times exposé is that FIFA responded by expelling two executive committee members in November. Its ethics committee has shown that it takes allegations of corruption seriously, but the issues and the sanctions FIFA imposes are a matter for it.

[Lord Anderson of Swansea]

My Lords, is there not one clear lesson from this, and that is the gross injustice done to the noble Lord, Lord Triesman, who was right but was right before his time?

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

My Lords, I think perhaps on that matter I had better not comment.