Lords private notice question on what recent discussions they have had, if any, with (1) the Government of Argentina and (2) the Government of the United States pertaining to the future of the Falkland Islands; and what steps they are taking to ensure the security of those islands.

Lords private notice question on what recent discussions they have had, if any, with (1) the Government of Argentina and (2) the Government of the United States pertaining to the future of the Falkland Islands; and what steps they are taking to ensure the security of those islands.

I thank the noble Baroness for her reply and, indeed, welcome her to the Dispatch Box and her new job. I look forward to many happy exchanges with her in the future.

The Falkland Islands are British. We fought to defend them in 1982 and there should be no doubt of...

I thank the noble Baroness for her reply and, indeed, welcome her to the Dispatch Box and her new job. I look forward to many happy exchanges with her in the future.

The Falkland Islands are British. We fought to defend them in 1982 and there should be no doubt of...

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the importance of free and fair presidential elections in Nigeria in 2027 to (1) Nigeria's democratic stability, (2) regional security in West Africa, and (3) the UK's strategic and economic interests; and what steps they are taking with the government...

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the importance of free and fair presidential elections in Nigeria in 2027 to (1) Nigeria's democratic stability, (2) regional security in West Africa, and (3) the UK's strategic and economic interests; and what steps they are taking with the government...

My Lords, as we begin our proceedings on Report, let me reiterate our view, as the Official Opposition, that the treaty that the Government have agreed with Mauritius puts the interests of the British people last. It is an abject surrender that we would never have agreed to. It was...

My Lords, as we begin our proceedings on Report, let me reiterate our view, as the Official Opposition, that the treaty that the Government have agreed with Mauritius puts the interests of the British people last. It is an abject surrender that we would never have agreed to. It was...

Moved by

Lord Callanan

2: Clause 1, page 1, line 7, at end insert

“, subject to subsection (2A).

(2A) Section 4 comes into force only when the Secretary of State has undertaken a consultation of the Chagossian community and laid a report of that consultation before both Houses of Parliament.”

Member’s explanatory statement

This amendment...

Moved by

Lord Callanan

2: Clause 1, page 1, line 7, at end insert

“, subject to subsection (2A).

(2A) Section 4 comes into force only when the Secretary of State has undertaken a consultation of the Chagossian community and laid a report of that consultation before both Houses of Parliament.”

Member’s explanatory statement

This amendment...

My Lords, throughout our debates on the Bill, we have heard time and again from noble Lords across your Lordships’ House that the Chagossian people have not been properly consulted by the Government. That is a view with which I heartily agree. They should be formally consulted on the whole...

My Lords, throughout our debates on the Bill, we have heard time and again from noble Lords across your Lordships’ House that the Chagossian people have not been properly consulted by the Government. That is a view with which I heartily agree. They should be formally consulted on the whole...

My Lords, I will briefly move Amendment 3 in my name. I will also speak about the other amendments in my name in this group, but I will not seek to pre-empt the arguments of the noble Lord, Lord Faulks, when he gets around to proposing his amendments.

The ocean around...

My Lords, I will briefly move Amendment 3 in my name. I will also speak about the other amendments in my name in this group, but I will not seek to pre-empt the arguments of the noble Lord, Lord Faulks, when he gets around to proposing his amendments.

The ocean around...

My Lords, the Minister’s remark to the noble Baroness, Lady Cash, was a little uncalled for.

My Lords, the Minister’s remark to the noble Baroness, Lady Cash, was a little uncalled for.

The Minister may say that she was joking, but it was not a very good joke.

I thank all noble Lords who have spoken in this debate. In Committee, noble Lords across the Chamber set out their profound concerns about the practical ability of the Mauritian Government to deliver on their...

The Minister may say that she was joking, but it was not a very good joke.

I thank all noble Lords who have spoken in this debate. In Committee, noble Lords across the Chamber set out their profound concerns about the practical ability of the Mauritian Government to deliver on their...

Moved by

Lord Callanan

7: Clause 1, page 1, line 7, at end insert

“, subject to subsection (2A).

(2A) Sections 2 to 4 of this Act come into force only when the duties outlined in section (Cost of the Treaty) have been discharged.”

Moved by

Lord Callanan

7: Clause 1, page 1, line 7, at end insert

“, subject to subsection (2A).

(2A) Sections 2 to 4 of this Act come into force only when the duties outlined in section (Cost of the Treaty) have been discharged.”

My Lords, we have had lengthy debates on the cost of the treaty. The Government have consistently told us that their estimates tell us that the treaty will cost only £3.4 billion, with payments averaging £101 million per annum over the 99-year life of the treaty. We fundamentally disagree with...

My Lords, we have had lengthy debates on the cost of the treaty. The Government have consistently told us that their estimates tell us that the treaty will cost only £3.4 billion, with payments averaging £101 million per annum over the 99-year life of the treaty. We fundamentally disagree with...

My Lords, this has been brief but fruitful debate and I am grateful to all who have contributed. I am particularly grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Purvis of Tweed, for his Amendment 50, which expresses our shared concerns about the unacceptable uncertainty over the costs of the commitments made...

My Lords, this has been brief but fruitful debate and I am grateful to all who have contributed. I am particularly grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Purvis of Tweed, for his Amendment 50, which expresses our shared concerns about the unacceptable uncertainty over the costs of the commitments made...

Moved by

Lord Callanan

8: Clause 1, page 1, line 7, at end insert

“, subject to subsection (2A).

(2A) Sections 2 to 4 of this Act come into force only when the Secretary of State has published a statement setting out that the Secretary of State is satisfied that—

(a) the government of Mauritius...

Moved by

Lord Callanan

8: Clause 1, page 1, line 7, at end insert

“, subject to subsection (2A).

(2A) Sections 2 to 4 of this Act come into force only when the Secretary of State has published a statement setting out that the Secretary of State is satisfied that—

(a) the government of Mauritius...

My Lords, this amendment seeks to require the Government to publish a statement stating that they are satisfied that the state of Mauritius is not unduly influenced by hostile state actors and that those actors will not interfere with the operation of the military base. In our increasingly unstable world,...

My Lords, this amendment seeks to require the Government to publish a statement stating that they are satisfied that the state of Mauritius is not unduly influenced by hostile state actors and that those actors will not interfere with the operation of the military base. In our increasingly unstable world,...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his comprehensive response. I know that my noble friend Lady Goldie would like to thank him for agreeing to write. We await this letter with interest. He has tremendous respect from across the House for the view he takes on defence; I...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his comprehensive response. I know that my noble friend Lady Goldie would like to thank him for agreeing to write. We await this letter with interest. He has tremendous respect from across the House for the view he takes on defence; I...

My Lords, the argument that the treaty was necessary because of the advisory judgment of international courts is something that we have debated at length. But, as my noble friend Lord Lilley has consistently demonstrated, the reality is that the Government had a political choice and they could have not...

My Lords, the argument that the treaty was necessary because of the advisory judgment of international courts is something that we have debated at length. But, as my noble friend Lord Lilley has consistently demonstrated, the reality is that the Government had a political choice and they could have not...

I thank my noble friend Lord Lansley for the amendments in this group. Throughout the passage of the Bill, we have had some interesting debates on the future of the prerogative. The Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee has made its recommendations on this point, and I understand why my...

I thank my noble friend Lord Lansley for the amendments in this group. Throughout the passage of the Bill, we have had some interesting debates on the future of the prerogative. The Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee has made its recommendations on this point, and I understand why my...

I wish to test the opinion of the House.

I wish to test the opinion of the House.

My Lords, I am pleased that the noble Lord, Lord Purvis, has chosen to re-table amendments on an inter-parliamentary committee to monitor and assess the implementation and operation of the treaty. We have been seriously concerned about the ongoing assessment of the success of the treaty, and this is just...

My Lords, I am pleased that the noble Lord, Lord Purvis, has chosen to re-table amendments on an inter-parliamentary committee to monitor and assess the implementation and operation of the treaty. We have been seriously concerned about the ongoing assessment of the success of the treaty, and this is just...

Lords report stage. Amendment 1 agreed to on division (132 to 124). Amendment 19 agreed to on division (210 to 131). Amendment 32 disagreed to on division (168 to 178). Amendment 33 agreed to. Amendment 47 agreed to on division (194 to 130). Amendment 50 agreed to on division (131 to 127). Bill, as amended, ordered to be printed (HL Bill 158).

Lords report stage. Amendment 1 agreed to on division (132 to 124). Amendment 19 agreed to on division (210 to 131). Amendment 32 disagreed to on division (168 to 178). Amendment 33 agreed to. Amendment 47 agreed to on division (194 to 130). Amendment 50 agreed to on division (131...