My Lords, a very precious object that is on tour arrived in the UK recently from an EU country. Will the Minister join me in celebrating the launch very shortly of the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition as an example of cultural diplomacy and the benefits of this—not least in inspiring a new generation of children to take an interest in history?

My Lords, a very precious object that is on tour arrived in the UK recently from an EU country. Will the Minister join me in celebrating the launch very shortly of the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition as an example of cultural diplomacy and the benefits of this—not least in inspiring a new generation of children to take an interest in history?

My Lords, over a long diplomatic career, I have seen a lot of the British Council’s work around the world and just how respected it is as a torch-bearer for British culture and education around the world. Is it true that the British Council has to dispose of properties and close down in a number of countries in order to deal with financial pressures? Is that really in the interest of British soft power?

My Lords, over a long diplomatic career, I have seen a lot of the British Council’s work around the world and just how respected it is as a torch-bearer for British culture and education around the world. Is it true that the British Council has to dispose of properties and close down in a number of countries in order to deal with financial pressures? Is that really in the interest of British soft power?

Lords motion to take note of the first report of the European Affaors Committee on Unfinished Business: Resetting the UK-EU relationship (HL 202). Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to take note of the first report of the European Affaors Committee on Unfinished Business: Resetting the UK-EU relationship (HL 202). Agreed to on question.

Are Ministers seeking to persuade President Trump that he can achieve all US security objectives in and around Greenland by working with Denmark through NATO and using the existing treaty it has with Denmark? Also, to show that Arctic security is a genuine NATO priority, is the UK considering deploying at least some military capability of our own to that collective endeavour?

Are Ministers seeking to persuade President Trump that he can achieve all US security objectives in and around Greenland by working with Denmark through NATO and using the existing treaty it has with Denmark? Also, to show that Arctic security is a genuine NATO priority, is the UK considering deploying at least some military capability of our own to that collective endeavour?

My Lords, given the overriding importance of reaching an early agreement with the EU on defence and security, does the Minister agree

that the right way to handle the issue of fisheries with the EU at this stage is to use the 19 May EU-UK summit to agree to a joint commitment to find a mutually agreeable solution on fisheries within a particular time well ahead of the 26 June deadline?

My Lords, given the overriding importance of reaching an early agreement with the EU on defence and security, does the Minister agree

that the right way to handle the issue of fisheries with the EU at this stage is to use the 19 May EU-UK summit to agree to a joint commitment to find a mutually agreeable solution on fisheries within a particular time well ahead of the 26 June deadline?

My Lords, does the Minister agree that one of the most effective contributions we can make to keeping the flame of democracy alive for the democratic movement in Belarus is to fight for and achieve a settlement that keeps Ukraine free and independent and gives the people of Belarus a sense that there is life beyond being a vassal state of Russia?

My Lords, does the Minister agree that one of the most effective contributions we can make to keeping the flame of democracy alive for the democratic movement in Belarus is to fight for and achieve a settlement that keeps Ukraine free and independent and gives the people of Belarus a sense that there is life beyond being a vassal state of Russia?

My Lords, while we are on the subject of UK delegations to European assemblies, does the Minister share my disappointment that we still do not have a UK delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly? The European Parliament delegation is up and raring to go. Is it not a bit odd that it seems keener on a parliamentary reset than the Westminster Parliament?

My Lords, while we are on the subject of UK delegations to European assemblies, does the Minister share my disappointment that we still do not have a UK delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly? The European Parliament delegation is up and raring to go. Is it not a bit odd that it seems keener on a parliamentary reset than the Westminster Parliament?

Lords motion to take note of the first report of the European Affairs Committee on The Ukraine Effect: The impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the UK-EU relationship (HL 48 2023-24). Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to take note of the first report of the European Affairs Committee on The Ukraine Effect: The impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the UK-EU relationship (HL 48 2023-24). Agreed to on question.

My Lords, the House of Lords European Affairs Committee has been hard at work taking evidence on the issue of data sharing between this country and the EU. Given the importance of those arrangements, both for sharing data on law enforcement and for businesses across the country, can the Minister assure us that the Government will consult the European Commission while they frame the digital information and smart data Bill, to ensure that its provisions do not inadvertently jeopardise continued data adequacy arrangements with the EU?

My Lords, the House of Lords European Affairs Committee has been hard at work taking evidence on the issue of data sharing between this country and the EU. Given the importance of those arrangements, both for sharing data on law enforcement and for businesses across the country, can the Minister assure us that the Government will consult the European Commission while they frame the digital information and smart data Bill, to ensure that its provisions do not inadvertently jeopardise continued data adequacy arrangements with the EU?

My Lords, speaking as another member of the club of those on Mr Putin’s blacklist, I welcome the AUKUS agreement but ask whether the Minister will accept that the handling of the French was pretty catastrophic? Does he accept that France is a major Indo-Pacific power and that now, when those bruises have perhaps healed somewhat, there is time to work with the French as well in the Indo-Pacific area, where they have a great deal to contribute?

My Lords, speaking as another member of the club of those on Mr Putin’s blacklist, I welcome the AUKUS agreement but ask whether the Minister will accept that the handling of the French was pretty catastrophic? Does he accept that France is a major Indo-Pacific power and that now, when those bruises have perhaps healed somewhat, there is time to work with the French as well in the Indo-Pacific area, where they have a great deal to contribute?

My Lords, does the Minister accept that up to a third of the funds intended for overseas development assistance are being spent on the accommodation of asylum seekers, who are unable to work? Does he agree that reducing the backlog of asylum seekers would free up money to spend on overseas development, which is such an important part of Britain’s overseas reputation?

My Lords, does the Minister accept that up to a third of the funds intended for overseas development assistance are being spent on the accommodation of asylum seekers, who are unable to work? Does he agree that reducing the backlog of asylum seekers would free up money to spend on overseas development, which is such an important part of Britain’s overseas reputation?

My Lords, the UK and France are the two European nations with more than carrier strike capability, along with Indo-Pacific nations. We have a UK-France summit coming up on 10 March. Is there any intention to announce co-ordinated deployments of our carrier strike capabilities towards the Far East?

My Lords, the UK and France are the two European nations with more than carrier strike capability, along with Indo-Pacific nations. We have a UK-France summit coming up on 10 March. Is there any intention to announce co-ordinated deployments of our carrier strike capabilities towards the Far East?

Lords motion to take note of the twenty-fifth report of the European Union Committee on Beyond Brexit: policing, law enforcement and security (HL 250 2019-21). Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to take note of the twenty-fifth report of the European Union Committee on Beyond Brexit: policing, law enforcement and security (HL 250 2019-21). Agreed to on question.

My Lords, is the issue here not really about maintaining the deep web of human relationships between our country and our near neighbours into the period when we are no longer in the EU? I have had many conversations with French people who have said that coming here was their first contact with abroad, it made a deep and lasting impression and it led to a lifetime’s friendship with the UK. Surely for these children, who are a low security risk, it should be possible to find a pragmatic arrangement to allow them to come on a collective document.

My Lords, is the issue here not really about maintaining the deep web of human relationships between our country and our near neighbours into the period when we are no longer in the EU? I have had many conversations with French people who have said that coming here was their first contact with abroad, it made a deep and lasting impression and it led to a lifetime’s friendship with the UK. Surely for these children, who are a low security risk, it should be possible to find a pragmatic arrangement to allow them to come on a collective document.

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to enable digital confirmation of a third COVID-19 vaccination on the NHS Covid Pass.

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to enable digital confirmation of a third COVID-19 vaccination on the NHS Covid Pass.

My Lords, the election of President Biden creates a really historic opportunity to repair the damage done to international co-operation during the Trump years. The way for Britain to have influence is to come forward with practical ideas to tackle issues that concern both countries. Given that President Biden is known to be a strong supporter of NATO, can the noble Baroness reassure us that the Government have specific plans ready to put to his transition team on how to re-energise NATO and show that it is not brain dead?

My Lords, the election of President Biden creates a really historic opportunity to repair the damage done to international co-operation during the Trump years. The way for Britain to have influence is to come forward with practical ideas to tackle issues that concern both countries. Given that President Biden is known to be a strong supporter of NATO, can the noble Baroness reassure us that the Government have specific plans ready to put to his transition team on how to re-energise NATO and show that it is not brain dead?

My Lords, may I declare an experience, as the co-ordinator of the 2010 strategic defence and security review? Does the Minister agree that good strategy is about choosing and prioritising? Does she accept that one of the most crucial aspects of this review is that it should start with a clear statement of the Government’s vision for Britain’s role in the world—a realistic role that gets beyond the slogan of “global Britain”?

My Lords, may I declare an experience, as the co-ordinator of the 2010 strategic defence and security review? Does the Minister agree that good strategy is about choosing and prioritising? Does she accept that one of the most crucial aspects of this review is that it should start with a clear statement of the Government’s vision for Britain’s role in the world—a realistic role that gets beyond the slogan of “global Britain”?

I am grateful to the noble Lord for giving way. I declare an interest as chairman of the Normandy Memorial Trust. I am very grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Selkirk, for raising the issue with the House today, and for the generosity that the Government have shown towards the memorial project so far. Does the Minister agree that the project to commemorate the 22,500 under British command who fell during the Battle of Normandy has been very much adopted by the public with widespread support, following the launch event on 6 June, as evidenced by the fact that we have since received over half a million pounds in public donations? Can he reassure the House that as we move to finish the memorial in time for next summer, we can continue to count on the support of HMG?

I am grateful to the noble Lord for giving way. I declare an interest as chairman of the Normandy Memorial Trust. I am very grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Selkirk, for raising the issue with the House today, and for the generosity that the Government have shown towards the memorial project so far. Does the Minister agree that the project to commemorate the 22,500 under British command who fell during the Battle of Normandy has been very much adopted by the public with widespread support, following the launch event on 6 June, as evidenced by the fact that we have since received over half a million pounds in public donations? Can he reassure the House that as we move to finish the memorial in time for next summer, we can continue to count on the support of HMG?

My Lords, while, I am sure, British embassies around Europe are doing everything they should to pass on information to British citizens, does the Minister accept that the withdrawal of freedom of movement presented by the Government as a great achievement is seen as a disaster by many thousands of younger people who may have had life plans to move and to settle in the EU after the date we leave the European Union, and who are now left in complete uncertainty about the rights they will have?

My Lords, while, I am sure, British embassies around Europe are doing everything they should to pass on information to British citizens, does the Minister accept that the withdrawal of freedom of movement presented by the Government as a great achievement is seen as a disaster by many thousands of younger people who may have had life plans to move and to settle in the EU after the date we leave the European Union, and who are now left in complete uncertainty about the rights they will have?

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reference to the Normandy Memorial Trust, of which I am the chairman. I can report to the House that we have secured an inspiring site looking down over Gold Beach, and we will be holding a first ceremony to inaugurate that site, although not yet the full memorial, on the anniversary of D-day next year. Does the Minister agree that a British national memorial bringing together the names of all those who fell under British command, alongside the Commonwealth war graves, will bear an important message to future generations about the sacrifices of those who made our freedoms in Europe today possible?

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reference to the Normandy Memorial Trust, of which I am the chairman. I can report to the House that we have secured an inspiring site looking down over Gold Beach, and we will be holding a first ceremony to inaugurate that site, although not yet the full memorial, on the anniversary of D-day next year. Does the Minister agree that a British national memorial bringing together the names of all those who fell under British command, alongside the Commonwealth war graves, will bear an important message to future generations about the sacrifices of those who made our freedoms in Europe today possible?