Mindanao Earthquake
Debate between Lord Lemos and Lord West of Spithead
Lord Lemos (Lab)
I reassure the noble Lord that we are not receiving any reports—I checked this specifically—of problems with aid from the Philippines Government reaching the affected communities in the Bangsamoro area. We are committed to supporting the peace process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and will continue to do that even once this disaster is behind us.
Lord West of Spithead (Lab)
My Lords, can I ask my noble friend the Minister what the closest Royal Navy ship was to the Philippines when this accident happened—because historically the Navy has been very involved in these things—and was its tasking changed at all as a result of this?
Lord Lemos (Lab)
I suppose I should have been prepared for that question. My noble friend will also be prepared for me to say I do not know the answer, but I will check. As I have said, if the Government of the Philippines asked for our help, we would provide it, but there is no suggestion that they have asked for help from the Royal Navy at the moment.
Royal Navy: Caribbean
Debate between Lord Lemos and Lord West of Spithead
Lord West of Spithead
To ask His Majesty’s Government whether the Royal Navy ship stationed in the Caribbean is fully a part of Joint Interagency Task Force South.
Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Lemos) (Lab)
My Lords, the Royal Navy’s persistent presence in the Caribbean is not part of the Joint Interagency Task Force South. The ship primarily provides support to the British Overseas Territories, including during Caribbean hurricane season, including in response to Hurricane Beryl and Hurricane Melissa that caused so much damage. The ship also conducts regional engagement and supports counter-illicit trafficking operations, which are co-ordinated through the US-led JITFS.
Lord West of Spithead (Lab)
My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for his reply, but the ship based out there does an awful lot of anti-drug work, and that is important for the stability of our overseas territories. It is also an indicator of how much we do for the Americans. The ship is fully linked in to the intelligence picture that is provided by our people and the Americans of what is going on. Can I ask my noble friend the Minister whether the US has stopped taking kinetic action against suspected drug-smuggling boats—historically, most used to come from Colombia and not Venezuela? If he cannot answer that, maybe he could write. Also, what instructions have we given to our ships there when they have been made aware that kinetic action was about to be taken against a suspected drug smuggler?
Lord Lemos (Lab)
The noble Lord is right that our persistent presence in the Caribbean in the Atlantic patrol task force is very important and does a lot of work in supporting the overseas territories and combating the illicit drugs trade. HMS “Trent” has seized £223.4 million-worth of cocaine since 2024, making this country much safer. On American plans, the American Government will speak for themselves. As for UK involvement in those operations, as I have said, we partner in JIATF activities. We have one officer based with it for liaison purposes, but we take responsibility for our own actions.