To ask Her Majesty's Government how many civil servants there are in the Headquarters Land Forces redeployment pool as a result of Project Hyperion; how long they have been there; and what is the cost of keeping them there.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many civil servants there are in the Headquarters Land Forces redeployment pool as a result of Project Hyperion; how long they have been there; and what is the cost of keeping them there.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the light of the approaches of the Governments of the United States and Argentina towards British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, they will reduce the number of British troops in Afghanistan.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the light of the approaches of the Governments of the United States and Argentina towards British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, they will reduce the number of British troops in Afghanistan.

To ask Her Majesty's Government where the Harrier aircraft which are (a) in service with HM Armed Forces, and (b) in operational condition, are based.

To ask Her Majesty's Government where the Harrier aircraft which are (a) in service with HM Armed Forces, and (b) in operational condition, are based.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the intended stationing of a tender for nuclear-powered submarines in the British Indian Ocean Territory will involve the USS "Emory S. Land"; and, if so, whether they will examine the stationing of the vessel at the US naval base at La Maddalena/Sardinia in 2007...

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the intended stationing of a tender for nuclear-powered submarines in the British Indian Ocean Territory will involve the USS "Emory S. Land"; and, if so, whether they will examine the stationing of the vessel at the US naval base at La Maddalena/Sardinia in 2007...

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have given permission under exchanges of letters with the United States or otherwise for the stationing of nuclear weapons on vessels within the territorial waters of Diego Garcia.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have given permission under exchanges of letters with the United States or otherwise for the stationing of nuclear weapons on vessels within the territorial waters of Diego Garcia.

I confess that I am not a big fan of the clause. I do not generally like such clauses, and I think that it is better, when one can, to ensure that we proceed with primary legislation. However, in relation to a convention such as the one on cluster munitions,...

I confess that I am not a big fan of the clause. I do not generally like such clauses, and I think that it is better, when one can, to ensure that we proceed with primary legislation. However, in relation to a convention such as the one on cluster munitions,...

We are rushing through these clauses, so it would be helpful if the Minister explained why so many of them relate to premises in the United Kingdom and what the position would be if the weapons were overseas. We have already discussed—briefly—the fact that many of the cases that might...

We are rushing through these clauses, so it would be helpful if the Minister explained why so many of them relate to premises in the United Kingdom and what the position would be if the weapons were overseas. We have already discussed—briefly—the fact that many of the cases that might...

But I am sure that the Minister will appreciate my point that a very simple manuscript amendment could be tabled on Report if necessary and desirable—to use the language of the Bill. We in this House have the right to insist on being able to table such amendments at this...

But I am sure that the Minister will appreciate my point that a very simple manuscript amendment could be tabled on Report if necessary and desirable—to use the language of the Bill. We in this House have the right to insist on being able to table such amendments at this...

The hon. Gentleman rather gave away his argument, because he said at the beginning of his comments, "It's rather unlikely, but I suppose it's theoretically hypothetical." I am not very good at dealing with a "theoretically hypothetical."

The hon. Gentleman rather gave away his argument, because he said at the beginning of his comments, "It's rather unlikely, but I suppose it's theoretically hypothetical." I am not very good at dealing with a "theoretically hypothetical."

The Minister will understand why I immediately refer him back to clause 29 and the power to modify Acts. One wonders about the extent to which it is within the framework of the UK Parliament to make adjustments to the constitutions of the British overseas territories, and I do not...

The Minister will understand why I immediately refer him back to clause 29 and the power to modify Acts. One wonders about the extent to which it is within the framework of the UK Parliament to make adjustments to the constitutions of the British overseas territories, and I do not...

Conservative Members are happy to welcome the Bill on to the statute book. As the Minister fairly pointed out, this debate would previously have been conducted on different terms by both his Front-Bench team and mine. There is now much greater parliamentary and public recognition of the appalling number of...

Conservative Members are happy to welcome the Bill on to the statute book. As the Minister fairly pointed out, this debate would previously have been conducted on different terms by both his Front-Bench team and mine. There is now much greater parliamentary and public recognition of the appalling number of...

Indeed. I hope there will be proper guidance and briefings for all our military personnel who might become involved in combined operations with allies. This area will clearly be complex. As the Minister has begun to hint to us, there is a whole gradation of things that could happen. I...

Indeed. I hope there will be proper guidance and briefings for all our military personnel who might become involved in combined operations with allies. This area will clearly be complex. As the Minister has begun to hint to us, there is a whole gradation of things that could happen. I...

Let us consider a country such as Afghanistan. Let us suppose that British troops broke our law and initiated the use of these weapons contrary to what the Minister, the law and their commanding officer said. Would that be a matter for military discipline or would those troops face a...

Let us consider a country such as Afghanistan. Let us suppose that British troops broke our law and initiated the use of these weapons contrary to what the Minister, the law and their commanding officer said. Would that be a matter for military discipline or would those troops face a...

I beg to move amendment 6, page 21, line 36, leave out subsection (3). This is very straightforward. The necessity for clause 34(3), inserted in the House of Lords, refers to the financial privilege that obtains to the House of Commons pursuant to the resolution of 1671:""That in all aids...

I beg to move amendment 6, page 21, line 36, leave out subsection (3). This is very straightforward. The necessity for clause 34(3), inserted in the House of Lords, refers to the financial privilege that obtains to the House of Commons pursuant to the resolution of 1671:""That in all aids...

I am more interested in facts than fictions. I am concerned about clause 34(1), which says:""This Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed."" There is no need for me to make a speech on the subject because I have made my reasons quite clear in...

I am more interested in facts than fictions. I am concerned about clause 34(1), which says:""This Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed."" There is no need for me to make a speech on the subject because I have made my reasons quite clear in...

I listened with interest to the Minister's comments, and I am grateful for the support of my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) and the hon. Members for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr. Davey) and for Foyle (Mark Durkan) on the matter. The Minister certainly persuaded me with regard...

I listened with interest to the Minister's comments, and I am grateful for the support of my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) and the hon. Members for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr. Davey) and for Foyle (Mark Durkan) on the matter. The Minister certainly persuaded me with regard...

Yes, absolutely. In relation to Diego Garcia in particular, as I said last week, the United States has made it clear that it will remove all its stockpile in the UK by the end of the year, and across the whole of the UK's jurisdictions by 2013. With that, I...

Yes, absolutely. In relation to Diego Garcia in particular, as I said last week, the United States has made it clear that it will remove all its stockpile in the UK by the end of the year, and across the whole of the UK's jurisdictions by 2013. With that, I...

Does the Minister have it in mind that 2013 will be the date by which the convention and the Bill will take effect in all these territories?

Does the Minister have it in mind that 2013 will be the date by which the convention and the Bill will take effect in all these territories?

But, if my hon. Friend will allow me to say so, that is to forget amendment 5, which is to remove the word "any". That is precisely the point. If we remove the word "any" and turn "may" into "shall", we would have to introduce everything as it is. There...

But, if my hon. Friend will allow me to say so, that is to forget amendment 5, which is to remove the word "any". That is precisely the point. If we remove the word "any" and turn "may" into "shall", we would have to introduce everything as it is. There...