Clause 2, discussed with new clauses 2 and 6. Clause 2 agreed to. Committee adjourned till Thursday 26 March.

Clause 2, discussed with new clauses 2 and 6. Clause 2 agreed to. Committee adjourned till Thursday 26 March.

Clause 1 agreed to. Two amendments to clause 2 negatived on division (6 votes to 8 respectively). Other amendments withdrawn. Clause under consideration when the Committee adjourned.

Clause 1 agreed to. Two amendments to clause 2 negatived on division (6 votes to 8 respectively). Other amendments withdrawn. Clause under consideration when the Committee adjourned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in the context of his Department's responsibility for devolution oversight and national security, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Scottish Government’s Defence Sector Support Policy, set out to the Scottish Parliament on 3 September...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in the context of his Department's responsibility for devolution oversight and national security, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Scottish Government’s Defence Sector Support Policy, set out to the Scottish Parliament on 3 September...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Statement of 6 May 2025 on Veterans Support: A New Approach HCWS619, how much of the £50milllion funding for new support system for veterans will be allocated to the devolved institutions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Statement of 6 May 2025 on Veterans Support: A New Approach HCWS619, how much of the £50milllion funding for new support system for veterans will be allocated to the devolved institutions.

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they are having with devolved authorities about the proposed increase in defence spending.

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they are having with devolved authorities about the proposed increase in defence spending.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations his Department has received in relation to the potential impact of uncompensated devolved (a) taxes and (b) other charges between (i) England, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Wales, (iv) Northern Ireland and (v) other devolved authorities on recent rates of completed recruitment...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations his Department has received in relation to the potential impact of uncompensated devolved (a) taxes and (b) other charges between (i) England, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Wales, (iv) Northern Ireland and (v) other devolved authorities on recent rates of completed recruitment...

Examination of witnesses. Written evidence reported to the House.

Examination of witnesses. Written evidence reported to the House.

Programme motion agreed to. Written evidence motion agreed to. Motion to sit in private agreed to. Examination of witnesses.

Programme motion agreed to. Written evidence motion agreed to. Motion to sit in private agreed to. Examination of witnesses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many meetings the Minister for Defence Procurement has had with the devolved Administrations to discuss the Refresh to the National Shipbuilding Strategy since his appointment; and on what dates those meetings took place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many meetings the Minister for Defence Procurement has had with the devolved Administrations to discuss the Refresh to the National Shipbuilding Strategy since his appointment; and on what dates those meetings took place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which Government Departments and Devolved Administrations submitted military aid to the civil authorities requests in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021 and (d) 2022.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which Government Departments and Devolved Administrations submitted military aid to the civil authorities requests in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021 and (d) 2022.

I do not think the hon. Gentleman can have been listening when I included, for example, car production and food and drink in my list, but the point is that the Chequers agreement seeks to secure the best deal for the whole UK economy, together. That covers both goods and...

I do not think the hon. Gentleman can have been listening when I included, for example, car production and food and drink in my list, but the point is that the Chequers agreement seeks to secure the best deal for the whole UK economy, together. That covers both goods and...

I beg to move,

That this House has considered strengthening the Union.

The Prime Minister and the Government have said, time after time, that it is our responsibility and duty to govern for the whole of the United Kingdom. The UK Government are responsible for governing for the benefit of everyone in...

I beg to move,

That this House has considered strengthening the Union.

The Prime Minister and the Government have said, time after time, that it is our responsibility and duty to govern for the whole of the United Kingdom. The UK Government are responsible for governing for the benefit of everyone in...

Perhaps the Minister can explain, then, why the former Foreign Secretary described Northern Ireland’s role in the Brexit process as

“the tail wagging the dog”

and sought to dismiss the serious concerns about the prospects of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, or indeed, between Northern Ireland...

Perhaps the Minister can explain, then, why the former Foreign Secretary described Northern Ireland’s role in the Brexit process as

“the tail wagging the dog”

and sought to dismiss the serious concerns about the prospects of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, or indeed, between Northern Ireland...

The hon. Gentleman did the job himself in the final few words of his intervention. I will look forward to some better ones as we go on.

Let me start with a few points on identity. The individual identities of each of the four nations remain strong. We could ask any...

The hon. Gentleman did the job himself in the final few words of his intervention. I will look forward to some better ones as we go on.

Let me start with a few points on identity. The individual identities of each of the four nations remain strong. We could ask any...

The Minister talks about benefiting all, but as she is aware, the UK is the most unequal state in the European Union, with inner London by the far the richest part of the EU while the communities that I represent are among the poorest, yet in Government figures published in...

The Minister talks about benefiting all, but as she is aware, the UK is the most unequal state in the European Union, with inner London by the far the richest part of the EU while the communities that I represent are among the poorest, yet in Government figures published in...

The hon. Gentleman highlights an important point that we will have the opportunity to consider when we look at issues such as leaving the European Union and how we will address, for example, agriculture support across our nation. The point I was making is that we are a larger economy...

The hon. Gentleman highlights an important point that we will have the opportunity to consider when we look at issues such as leaving the European Union and how we will address, for example, agriculture support across our nation. The point I was making is that we are a larger economy...

I speak as a proud Unionist, and I am very much in favour of the Union. The Minister must understand, however, that there are considerable concerns about Brexit and the Government’s long-term plan for regional continued development, which benefits my constituency enormously—structural funding, for example, and agricultural funding. Those uncertainties...

I speak as a proud Unionist, and I am very much in favour of the Union. The Minister must understand, however, that there are considerable concerns about Brexit and the Government’s long-term plan for regional continued development, which benefits my constituency enormously—structural funding, for example, and agricultural funding. Those uncertainties...

I am sure that we will come on to all those points during the debate. However, the hon. Gentleman and the hon. Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr (Jonathan Edwards) were right to raise them, because it is in recognition of such issues that the Government plan to create a...

I am sure that we will come on to all those points during the debate. However, the hon. Gentleman and the hon. Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr (Jonathan Edwards) were right to raise them, because it is in recognition of such issues that the Government plan to create a...

I am sure that many Members from all over the United Kingdom will point to the inequalities and the lack of growth in some parts of our economy, but does not being part of the United Kingdom mean that fiscal transfers from parts of the UK that generate more revenue...

I am sure that many Members from all over the United Kingdom will point to the inequalities and the lack of growth in some parts of our economy, but does not being part of the United Kingdom mean that fiscal transfers from parts of the UK that generate more revenue...

That is precisely my point. When we see what we can do as a larger economy—when we see how we can attract the finest and the best across the UK economy —we also see that we are in a position to put that back

into public services, including the NHS...

That is precisely my point. When we see what we can do as a larger economy—when we see how we can attract the finest and the best across the UK economy —we also see that we are in a position to put that back

into public services, including the NHS...