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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 15 Jan 2018
National Security Capability Review

"Does the noble Earl realise that the continued delay in making key decisions about future capabilities is simply paralysing decision-making inside the Ministry of Defence and encouraging our opponents outside? Our allies in NATO will also be dismayed at the fact that these decisions are still pending, still waiting and …..."
Lord Robertson of Port Ellen - View Speech

View all Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: National Security Capability Review
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 08 Dec 2016
Brexit: Armed Forces and Diplomatic Service

"My Lords, I too congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Sterling, on getting this debate today, only two days after an almost historic statement by NATO Foreign Ministers in Brussels on relations between NATO and the EU. In the statement, they said they would,

“strengthen our strategic partnership in concrete areas”.

…..."
Lord Robertson of Port Ellen - View Speech

View all Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Brexit: Armed Forces and Diplomatic Service
Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 13 Jul 2016
Defence: Continuous At-Sea Deterrent

"My Lords, first, I declare an indirect interest, as recorded in the register of interests.

The Government have had six years to prepare for this debate and for the vote that will take place in the Commons on Monday. This is one of the most important decisions that will be …..."
Lord Robertson of Port Ellen - View Speech

View all Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Defence: Continuous At-Sea Deterrent
Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 06 Jul 2016
Report of the Iraq Inquiry

"My Lords, I add to the tributes paid to those who fought, those who died and those who were injured in this conflict. We must regret and mourn those who have been affected by doing their duty. I also thank those who served on this remarkable report that has taken …..."
Lord Robertson of Port Ellen - View Speech

View all Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Report of the Iraq Inquiry
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 23 May 2016
Queen’s Speech

"My Lords, I start by congratulating two noble Baronesses who have spoken today, one for the last time and one for the first. The noble Baroness, Lady Perry, has a very distinguished record, and it was interesting to note that she apparently once whipped the noble Lord, Lord Forsyth, a …..."
Lord Robertson of Port Ellen - View Speech

View all Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Queen’s Speech
Written Question
Trident Submarines
Monday 7th December 2015

Asked by: Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the lifetime of the Vanguard-class submarines can be extended beyond the previous published date of 2018 to the 2030s referred to in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords


As set out in the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, we have assessed that we can safely manage and maintain the Vanguard boats until Successor submarines are introduced into service in the early 2030s.


Written Question
Trident Submarines
Thursday 3rd December 2015

Asked by: Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what will be the (1) composition, (2) ownership, and (3) reporting line, of each of the two new bodies to be created to supervise the delivery programme of the successor nuclear deterrent.

Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords


As set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review (Cm9161), the Ministry of Defence (MOD) will establish a new team headed by an experienced commercial specialist to act as the single sponsor for all aspects of the defence nuclear enterprise, from procurement to disposal, with responsibility for submarines, nuclear warheads, skills, related infrastructure and day-to-day nuclear policy.

We will strengthen our arrangements for the procurement and in-service support of nuclear submarines, establishing a new delivery body with the authority and freedom to recruit and retain the best people to manage the submarine enterprise. Options for the new organisation will be developed and assessed for a decision in 2016. The MOD will remain in control of the Successor submarine programme.

Written Question
Nuclear Weapons
Thursday 3rd December 2015

Asked by: Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the estimated cost of the nuclear deterrent successor programme has increased.

Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords


Designing and building submarines is one of the largest programmes and one of the most complex activities that the Ministry of Defence and UK Industry undertakes. It is the purpose of a design phase to improve our understanding of costs and timescales, which we have now done. The current estimates reflect what we have learned since the design phase began.

Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 23 Nov 2015
National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015

"My Lords, although the review is light on detail and timing, it is at least strategic and therefore sets itself apart from the exercise in 2010. In the light of events that took place across the channel 10 days ago, I do not think this is the time for picking …..."
Lord Robertson of Port Ellen - View Speech

View all Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015
Written Question
Defence: Expenditure
Thursday 23rd July 2015

Asked by: Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether additional categories of expenditure have been added to the defence budget which were not included in the defence budget in each of the last three financial years.

Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords

I refer the noble Lord to the answer given to Questions HL1238 and HL1239 to the noble Lord, Lord West of Spithead on 20 July 2015.