"My Lords, can the Minister explain how UK spending in Syria is helping to build stability and tackle humanitarian crises? What steps are required to reopen the embassy, given that Syria has reopened its embassy in London? Can she also explain how the Government can maintain support for Syria, Ukraine, …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech
"In a conflict-beset world, a credible nuclear deterrent is unarguable, but macho posturing by the leaders of the United States and Russia is an alarming development that undermines the non-proliferation treaty. In response to the noble Lord, Lord Ahmad, will the Government take a lead to encourage or persuade India, …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech
"As long as Israel maintains its occupation of Gaza and the consolidation and illegal expansion of settlements in the West Bank, the reality of a Palestinian state remains completely distant. As permanent members of the Security Council, what are Britain and France doing together to try to ensure the establishment …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech
"My Lords, there is no doubt that the regime in Venezuela is authoritarian, represses dissidents and is probably involved in drug trafficking. Does that justify extrajudicial killing without evidence by our ally? If the Government have withheld intelligence, as the press reports say, we on these Benches welcome that, but …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech
"My Lords, last week, Scott McDonald, the chief executive of the British Council, told MPs that the council was going to sell all its assets and close 40 country programmes unless the Government reschedule a £197 million loan costing £12 million to £15 million in interest. The council has already …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech
"To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure the continued operation of the British Council...." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech
"My Lords, the order by the Norwegians shows that they value Scotland’s skills in the defence sector rather more, as the noble Baroness has said, than the Scottish Government do. However, at a time when we face Russian aggression, does this not prove that Scotland’s interests lie best in being …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech
"My Lords, given the impact of cuts in aid and the advance of Russia and China as funders in developing countries, will the Government seek an urgent initiative to promote public and private debt relief to ease the burden in those countries? Will they also do more aid matching to …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech
"My Lords, following my noble friend’s question, after the massacre in Rwanda the United Nations adopted the responsibility to protect resolution. It does not seem to have had any meaningful impact. I understand the Minister’s position, but the question is this: what on earth is the practical measure that can …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech
"My Lords, I very much welcome this debate and the strong unanimity which has been shown by our Front Benches and, indeed, right across the House. Like others, I welcome the noble Lord, Lord Barrow, whom I have encountered in the past, and I very much appreciate what he had …..." Lord Bruce of Bennachie - View Speech