UKPOL.CO.UK

Tag: Comments

  • Tobias Ellwood – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Grain Ships Safely Leaving Ukraine

    Tobias Ellwood – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Grain Ships Safely Leaving Ukraine

    The parliamentary question asked by Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative MP for Bournemouth East, in the House of Commons on 17 November 2022.

    Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) (Con)

    I strongly welcome the Prime Minister’s words at the G20 in condemnation of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. I have just returned with the Defence Committee from Odesa, where there is huge appreciation for British efforts in support of Ukraine at this time, but just one fifth as many grain ships have been able to get out since the war.

    With Russia’s maritime force severely diminished, Odesa is calling out for a new, more efficient grain deal. Will the Prime Minister meet me to look at securing a UN General Assembly resolution, bypassing the Security Council, to grant Odesa humanitarian safe haven status, along with the formation of a UN-led maritime force so that vital grain ships can be escorted safely out of Odesa?

    The Prime Minister

    My right hon. Friend is right to highlight the importance of the grain shipments through Odesa. I am very pleased that, after concerted efforts on our part and from other allies with the United Nations Secretary-General, the grain deal, which just days ago was in some doubt, has indeed been extended. That demonstrates the pressure put on Russia by the international community. My right hon. Friend knows the importance of the free flow of food and fertilisers to the developing world through those ships. I would be delighted to meet him to see what more we can do, but I think for now we should be very pleased that the grain deal is being extended. It is already leading to a decline in wheat prices, which will bring some alleviation to the food inflation that we are seeing, particularly in the African continent.

  • Alicia Kearns – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Prime Minister Meeting Xi Jinping

    Alicia Kearns – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Prime Minister Meeting Xi Jinping

    The parliamentary question asked by Alicia Kearns, the Conservative MP for Rutland and Melton, in the House of Commons on 17 November 2022.

    Alicia Kearns (Rutland and Melton) (Con)

    Dialogue is never weakness, so will my right hon. Friend tell us when he intends to reschedule his meeting with Xi Jinping? It is not an endorsement of the Chinese Communist party, but an opportunity to set out our red lines, particularly on the hostile actions we have seen on UK soil in the last month. We need shortly to see a strategy from the Prime Minister on China.

    Will the Prime Minister also inform the House what progress on isolating Russia was made at the G20 with India and other nations that are not as aligned with us on Ukraine, because they are key to global stability and ending bloodshed?

    The Prime Minister

    I thank the Chair of the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs for her excellent question. She is absolutely right about the importance of dialogue, and she will have heard what I said to the Leader of the Opposition about dialogue. We are in the process of refreshing our integrated review, and no doubt our approach to China will be a part of that. In the meantime, she is right that dialogue also offers the opportunity for us to raise issues of concern, and to defend our values and interests—particularly with regard to areas such as Hong Kong—which we will continue to do as the opportunity arises.

    My hon. Friend is right to point out the position of those non-aligned countries. We should all take enormous comfort from the fact that the G20 communiqué was agreed; it was substantive, comprehensive and contained strong language of condemnation about Russia’s aggression. That was by no means assured just a week or so ago, and it speaks to the feeling in the international community —something I saw across the G20 table as many, if not almost all, countries took the opportunity to say something about Russia’s actions, and joined us in condemning it. There is always work to do and we will continue to have that dialogue with those partners.

  • Jeremy Corbyn – 2022 Comments on Ehsan Hajsafi

    Jeremy Corbyn – 2022 Comments on Ehsan Hajsafi

    The comments made by Jeremy Corbyn, the Independent MP for Islington North, on Twitter on 21 November 2022.

    “I would like to express my condolences to all of the bereaved families in Iran. They should know that we are with them, we support them and we sympathise with them.”

    Such bravery from Iran’s Ehsan Hajsafi, using his platform to stand up for human rights.

  • Ed Davey – 2022 Comments on FIFA

    Ed Davey – 2022 Comments on FIFA

    The comments made by Ed Davey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, on 21 November 2022.

    Cheering on Wales and England as they begin their World Cup campaigns today.

    But Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers, abuse of LGBT+ people and continued discrimination against women make it wholly unfit to host this tournament, and show that FIFA isn’t fit to govern football either.

  • Jess Phillips – 2022 Comments on FIFA and OneLove Armband

    Jess Phillips – 2022 Comments on FIFA and OneLove Armband

    The comments made by Jess Phillips, the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, on Twitter on 21 November 2022.

    The captain of the Iranian team has boldly spoken out against the oppressive regime, he faces considerably worse than a yellow card.

  • Colum Eastwood – 2022 Comments on FIFA and OneLove Armband

    Colum Eastwood – 2022 Comments on FIFA and OneLove Armband

    The comments made by Colum Eastwood, the SDLP MP for Foyle, on Twitter on 21 November 2022.

    FIFA have corrupted the World Cup, that’s where the focus should be. Players should never have been put in this position.

  • Wes Streeting – 2022 Comments on FIFA and OneLove Armband

    Wes Streeting – 2022 Comments on FIFA and OneLove Armband

    The comments made by Wes Streeting, the Labour MP for Ilford North, on Twitter on 21 November 2022.

    FIFA is a disgrace.

    But we know where @England and @FAWales stand and it’s appreciated. Players have been put in an impossible position.

    Will be cheering England on today. A great team with a strong moral backbone – excellent role models for our country.

  • William Clark – 1982 Parliamentary Question on the Right-To-Buy

    William Clark – 1982 Parliamentary Question on the Right-To-Buy

    The parliamentary question asked by William Clark, the then Conservative MP for Croydon South, in the House of Commons on 16 November 1982.

    Sir William Clark

    Is my right hon. Friend aware that with the recent 2 per cent. cut in mortgage interest, rates have come down by 5 per cent this year? Does she agree that in many cases it is cheaper for a council tenant to buy rather than to rent, which should be an added incentive for people to buy council houses?

    Margaret Thatcher (The Prime Minister)

    Yes. In many cases the discount permitted to council tenants and the tax relief on mortgage payments will mean that the net mortgage repayment is less than the rent that would otherwise have been paid. I hope that that fact will lead many council tenants to take the opportunity to purchase their houses under the right-to-buy legislation.

  • Patrick Duffy – 1982 Parliamentary Question on Flat Industrial Production

    Patrick Duffy – 1982 Parliamentary Question on Flat Industrial Production

    The parliamentary question asked by Patrick Duffy, the Labour MP for Sheffield Attercliffe, in the House of Commons on 16 November 1982.

    Mr. Duffy

    What encouragement does the Prime Minister draw from the latest findings of the Central Statistical Office showing industrial production in September as flat, and with no improvement in the third quarter over the second, thus confirming the recent bleak forecasts of the CBI? Does the Prime Minister deny that the PSBR could now provide for some pump-priming, or has she abandoned unemployed people to the electoral needs of a give-away Budget?

    The Prime Minister

    The hon. Gentleman is right, production is flat. But he will have noticed that the retail trade is buoyant and he will have drawn the conclusion that people are buying more goods. The demand is there, but it is not being met by production from our factories. That stresses the need once again to be competitive both in price and design. As regards the PSBR, as one of the world troubles in the coming financial year will be the accumulated deficits of debtor countries, it is far better that we do not join those countries, but keep our finances on a sound basis.

  • Stan Newens – 1982 Parliamentary Question on Cruise Missiles

    Stan Newens – 1982 Parliamentary Question on Cruise Missiles

    The parliamentary question asked by Stan Newens, the then Labour MP for Harlow, in the House of Commons on 16 November 1982.

    Mr. Newens asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the first cruise missiles are due to be deployed in the United Kingdom.

    The Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr. Peter Blaker)

    In the absence of concrete results in the arms reduction negotiations in Geneva on intermediate nuclear forces, cruise missiles are due to be deployed in the United Kingdom by December 1983.

    Mr. Newens

    As the United States, on many occasions, particularly recently, has made it clear that it is prepared to put United States interests before those of Britain where it suits it, how on earth can the deployment of American owned and controlled cruise missiles in this country be justified? Does the hon. Gentleman recognise that the majority of people in Britain today reject this proposal?

    Mr. Blaker

    The hon. Gentleman appears to misunderstand the reasoning behind the proposed installation of cruise and Pershing II missiles in Europe. That action is due to be taken, in the absence of an arms reduction agreement, at the request of the European countries. It is intended to demonstrate to the Soviet Union and to Western Europe that the United States is fully committed to the defence of Western Europe.

    Mr. Cartwright

    Has the Minister noted statements by United States officials that development problems affecting cruise and Pershing II missiles are no worse than those affecting any new weapon system? Does he find that choice of words comforting? Is he convinced that the cruise will be ready on time?

    Mr. Blaker

    According to the information that I have, I expect the cruise to be ready for deployment by the end of next year. The tests being conducted on the Tomahawk cruise missile, which is the relevant one, show a success rate of over 80 per cent.

    Mr. Stokes

    Is my hon. Friend aware that most people hope that the sooner these weapons are deployed in the United Kingdom the better, especially in view of the threat from the growing number of Soviet SS20 missiles? Will my hon. Friend do all in his power to counter the dangerous and misleading opposition to the stationing of these weapons here?

    Mr. Blaker

    I agree with my hon. Friend about the urgency of this problem. When NATO first proposed in 1979 the installation of cruise and Pershing missiles, and simultaneous negotiations with the Soviet Union to make that deployment unnecessary if agreement could be reached, the number of SS20s in the Soviet Union was just over 100. The figure is now 324. I believe, therefore, that the imbalance that existed in 1979 has worsened. We shall try to reach a disarmament agreement, but in the absence of such an agreement we must press on with our plans.

    Mr. Strang

    Is the Minister aware that the brave women of the Greenham Common peace campaign are representative of the views of millions of women in this country? Has he recognised that the harsh decision of the authorities to imprison them will increase rather than decrease the determination of women and men throughout Britain who are determined to oppose this dangerous escalation of the nuclear arms race?

    Mr. Blaker

    It is clear to me that the vast majority of people in this country believe in nuclear deterrence combined with a policy of multilateral negotiations for arms reduction. The case of the women at the so-called peace camp at Greenham Common is not a matter for me.

    Mr. Colvin

    Will my hon. Friend confirm that cruise missiles are defensive or retaliatory, and that they are in no way offensive or first-strike weapons.

    Mr. Blaker

    My hon. Friend is absolutely right. They travel at about the same speed as a British Airways jet. They would take three hours to reach Moscow.

    Mr. Denzil Davies

    Is the Minister aware that the original decision to deploy cruise missiles, far from bringing America and Western Europe closer together, has created confusion and dissension, especially by raising the spectre of limited nuclear war in Europe? Why do not the Government cancel the project, which is a major and dangerous step on the ladder of nuclear escalation?

    Mr. Blaker

    If there is confusion, it has been caused largely by some of the unilateralist organisations which have been spreading false information. I have previously told the House that one CND leaflet contained five gross errors of fact, three of which are conceded either by Monsignor Bruce Kent or by Lord Jenkins of Putney, a former hon. Member of this House. A limited nuclear war is not an objective of Western policy. The introduction of cruise missiles is intended to demonstrate that the United States is bound into the defence of Western Europe.

    Mr. Davies

    Will the hon. Gentleman concede that the whole object of a cruise missile is to fight a nuclear war on the Continent of Europe? Why is that not a limited nuclear war?

    Mr. Blaker

    The right hon. Gentleman is talking rubbish.