Ukrainian Refugees

Lord West of Spithead Excerpts

Tuesday 15th March 2022 Lords Chamber

[Lord Harries of Pentregarth (CB)]

My Lords—

[Lord West of Spithead (Lab)]

I think it is this side.

[Lord Ashton of Hyde (Con)]

I think it is the turn of the Cross Benches.

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord West of Spithead (Lab)]

My Lords, we will get war criminals to The Hague only if we win. The way to win wars is by having strong armed forces. Are we going to put some money into our Armed Forces? Many countries in Europe have realised that they must now do so, particularly Germany, and the Australians have increased theirs by 80%, whereas we seem to be doing nothing about the Armed Forces, who, to me, seem rather important in wars.

[Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con)]

My Lords, the noble Lord is asking me to stray across departmental briefs, which I am reluctant to do. However, from a personal point of view, I might not disagree with him. I take this opportunity to commend the work of 104 Brigade, which I was reading about this morning. It is involved in theatre sustainment and is currently based in Stuttgart. It is co-ordinating our international military supplies and others.