Greenland

Lord Wallace of Saltaire Excerpts

Thursday 8th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

There is no world in which I am answering that question. There is always negotiation and discussion about the appropriate use of bases in this country. I just remind noble Lords—I do not think they need to be reminded—that the very close military, security and intelligence co-operation between the United Kingdom and the United States is decades old. It has kept us safe. It is the world’s closest such relationship and it will continue.

[Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD)]

My Lords, I note the reference that the Minister made to increasing dangers in the seas around the United Kingdom. I also note that the Navy managed to provide a fleet auxiliary vessel as our contribution to the taking of this stateless vessel. We are desperately short of coastal and near-sea patrol boats in this country, given the rising threats that we face, both hybrid and direct. Is it not an urgent matter to ensure that we procure and put into service more vessels to manage the safety and security of our surrounding waters and undersea cables?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

That is why there are now contracts out for more such vessels. I draw noble Lords’ attention to the fact that we made some difficult decisions last year about spending. The purpose of that was to increase our spending on defence, which I think is being shown this year to have been the right decision.