Armed Forces: East of Suez

Debate between Lord Singh of Wimbledon and Viscount Younger of Leckie

Thursday 9th March 2017 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

The situation in the South China Sea is certainly also being kept under review, but this Question relates to the Gulf. At the moment we see it as extremely important to be sure that our presence in the Gulf is strong enough for our interests there and to work with our Gulf partnerships.

[Lord Singh of Wimbledon (CB)]

My Lords, we are in the 21st century, not in the 19th. Is this macho posturing really helpful to the cause of world peace? Russia and China could argue, with similar logic, to have a naval presence west of Suez, much closer to home. Should we not be thinking in 21st-century terms?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

We believe that we are thinking in 21st-century terms. Let me say a little more about the build-up of our presence in the Gulf. It is very important to have a strong defence presence with the naval facility in Bahrain, HMS “Jufair” and the regional land training hub in Oman—and to have a stronger engagement with the creation of the British defence staff in Dubai. We are also building more short-term training teams to build our partners’ capacity. For example, in 2018 exercise Saif Sareea 3 will take place.

School Census: Pupils’ Nationality

Debate between Lord Singh of Wimbledon and Viscount Younger of Leckie

Wednesday 12th October 2016 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I believe that I have answered that question to the extent that all pupils are taken account of and the schools of course have their own management information system to be able to monitor pupils from wherever they come—from within this country or abroad.

[Lord Singh of Wimbledon (CB)]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Singh of Wimbledon]

My Lords, I can understand that such information may possibly be of use educationally, but can the Minister explain why and for what purpose that same information is given to the Home Office?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I can reassure the noble Lord that the information is not given to the Home Office. There has been some mischief in the press about this, but I reassure the House that the information is kept within the Department for Education and is not passed on to the Home Office.