UK Armed Forces in Middle East Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

UK Armed Forces in Middle East

Lord Hannay of Chiswick Excerpts
Wednesday 1st May 2024

(2 weeks, 5 days ago)

Lords Chamber
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Earl of Minto Portrait The Earl of Minto (Con)
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My Lords, the diplomatic situation with Iran is that we are using every possible effort to quieten down what could have become an extremely dangerous situation. So far, that diplomacy does seem to be working.

Lord Hannay of Chiswick Portrait Lord Hannay of Chiswick (CB)
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My Lords, would the Minister and the Opposition Front Bench recognise that neither of them referred, in their replies, to the role of the sovereign base areas in Cyprus? Does he not agree that the bases we have there have played an extremely positive role in recent times, and indeed in more previous times than that? Would he offer some thanks to those who are manning those bases?

Earl of Minto Portrait The Earl of Minto (Con)
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My Lords, I certainly will and would. We are part of international coalitions and there is a certain level of sensitivity around precisely which states are involved in what. But I can assure the House, in all respects, that the level of support from various areas could not be higher.