"Is it not unfortunate that the Conservatives, who are in no way blameless for the parlous state of the public finances, are arguing the case for defence on the basis of saying that the people who should bear the burden of topping up the defence budget are the poorest, the …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech
"My Lords, the Israeli military initially responded to “NAZA” by saying that it categorically rejects the allegations, but, in a later statement, it said that
“the allegations required a detailed, evidence-based response rather than a blanket dismissal”,
"My Lords, does the Minister acknowledge that numerous tax and regulation actions are undertaken by both the UK Government and the Scottish Government that have an impact on job prospects for young people in Scotland, yet both Governments operate separate, unconnected programmes in Scotland to address youth unemployment? Would it …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech
"My Lords, there is understandable frustration that the Government set out a target but have delayed how they will implement it. Can the Minister address two specific and urgent questions? With the phasing out of our destroyers and their current lack of readiness, what action are the Government taking now …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech
"My Lords, given that Russia is building nuclear power stations in Turkey and Egypt, is not the concern about proliferation real? Is not the noble Lord, Lord Lamont, right to say that the problem with this agreement is lack of transparency, compared with the UAE agreement, which has no processing …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech
"With no disrespect to the Minister, it is regrettable that we do not have a dedicated Foreign Office Minister in this House. I hope that that will be rectified, but I welcome him to his post. The situation in both Indian- and Pakistan-administered Kashmir has for ever been one of …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech
"My Lords, I join everybody in thanking the noble Lord, Lord Harlech, for introducing this debate and for the non-political way in which he did so. Across the whole debate and from all sides, we have recognised that the threat is real and our preparedness is inadequate—that is the message …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech
"I appreciate that, and the Minister and other Ministers frequently say that, but the reality is that the British Council is nearly bankrupt, the BBC is struggling and our diplomatic forces are being reduced. On that particular point, can he feed back to the Government that, if we do not …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech
"My Lords, I declare an interest as an adviser to DAI. I welcome what the Minister has said about UK government action, but, as she will know, at an event I hosted recently in this House, we heard how local actors were delivering humanitarian aid on the ground where international …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech
"My Lords, we have more ships tied up than at sea. That was witnessed by the lack of a ship in the Med at the start of this recent conflict and the delay in mobilising HMS “Dragon”. Where is the urgency in covering that gap? Also, with no replacement for …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech