Business of the House

Debate between Jamie Stone and Alan Campbell

Thursday 18th June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD)]

I want to raise the case of Hughie Stirling from Ullapool. He was on board a flotilla proceeding to Gaza with aid when the Israelis intercepted them in international waters and took them into custody. His partner tells me that he and others were shockingly mistreated—we are talking about physical abuse and even being beaten up. When his partner made appeals to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for information or assistance, the silence was utterly deafening. Hughie is a British citizen and has his rights, surely. Could we have a debate in this House on consular support and protection of UK nationals delivering aid abroad?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am sorry to hear about the hon. Gentleman’s constituent. It is not acceptable that a British citizen should be treated in such a way, and I am also disappointed in the disappointing response so far from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. I will give some thought to what he asks about consular support. If he wishes to meet a Foreign Office Minister to express those concerns directly, I will help him to arrange that.

Business of the House

Debate between Jamie Stone and Alan Campbell

Thursday 19th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for her question. As she notes, amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill have been considered by the House of Lords. The Government will consider them as we move forward. I will announce future business in the House in the usual way, but I am absolutely conscious of the importance of providing sufficient time for parliamentary scrutiny, wherever it falls in the parliamentary year.

[Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD)]

I note what the Leader of the House said about the forthcoming consultation exercise. I urge right hon. and hon. Members to take part.

The shadow Leader of the House has touched on the activities in recent months of Russian spy ships and submarines off the coast of my constituency, taking a peer at our undersea cables and connections, and the strategic resource of the North sea in oil and offshore wind energy. May I respectfully ask the Leader of the House to help facilitate a meeting between me, and perhaps other concerned Members from other parties, and appropriate Ministers to discuss this issue and what our means of defence are?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The North sea is a critical asset and the Government understand the vital role it will play in the future. It is Britain’s greatest asset in building our energy future. It gives Scotland and the rest of Britain the chance to lead in offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen, alongside oil and gas production. It is such an important matter that I will help to facilitate the meeting that the hon. Gentleman asks for.