Results 1-20 of 1,080 for (in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates') speaker:Paul Keetch

Oral Answers to Questions — Health: European Council (23 Jun 2009) has video

Paul Keetch: Given that the Zimbabwean Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, has been in Europe, including London, over the last few days, was Zimbabwe discussed at the European Council? Given the fact that we and other European countries are rightly increasing the amount of aid given to the country, should we not expect at the very least that all European broadcasters, including the BBC, should be able to...

Election of Speaker (22 Jun 2009) has video

Paul Keetch: You were there.

Business of the House: Gurkhas (21 May 2009) has video

Paul Keetch: This is, indeed, a very good day for the House and for the Brigade of Gurkhas. I recall working with the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green on this issue five or six years ago, when I spoke for my party on defence and he had the same responsibilities for the Conservative party. The Home Secretary will realise that Gurkhas have continued to fight and to die for this country...

Bill Presented: New Clause 14 — Inquests in camera (23 Mar 2009) has video

Paul Keetch: rose—

Bill Presented: New Clause 14 — Inquests in camera (23 Mar 2009) has video

Paul Keetch: So far as I am aware, no coroners involved in certain military operations have made complaints about the existing arrangements for inquests. If the existing arrangements seem to work well, why is it necessary to add an extra element, when the existing element relating to national security appears to cover everything?

Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Freedom of Information Act 2000 (24 Feb 2009) has video

Paul Keetch: The Secretary of State has effectively said today that he is using his exceptional section 53 power to protect elected politicians who attended a Cabinet meeting. Can he confirm that he would not be able to use section 53 in respect of the release of correspondence between the then Chief of the Defence Staff and the Prime Minister, also about the legality of the war? The Chief of the Defence...

Oral Answers to Questions — Treasury: Iraq (18 Dec 2008) has video

Paul Keetch: At least I agree with the Prime Minister on one thing—his tribute to our armed forces, whose valour, distinction and professionalism are unique. In return, will he agree with me on one thing: when we invaded Iraq in March 2003, she did not possess weapons of mass destruction available to be deployed against British interests in 45 minutes?

Oral Answers to Questions — Home Department: EU Council/Afghanistan, India and Pakistan (15 Dec 2008) has video

Paul Keetch: The Prime Minister says that there are more helicopters on the way, but may I ask him the same question that I asked him on 21 November 2007? When will the dedicated Chinook helicopters that were ordered by John Major for our special forces and delivered to Tony Blair in 2001 be fully available to be deployed by UK special forces in Afghanistan?

Debate on the Address: Foreign Affairs and Defence (10 Dec 2008) has video

Paul Keetch: Does the hon. Lady not recognise what the President of Botswana, who met the Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister in the UK two weeks ago, has said? Botswana has been vociferous in its opposition to the Mugabe regime, calling for fresh elections. It has a huge problem with refugees coming across its border. While what she says might be true about other Southern African Development Community...

European Affairs (9 Dec 2008) has video

Paul Keetch: rose—

European Affairs (9 Dec 2008) has video

Paul Keetch: Absolutely. The Foreign Secretary is right to say that the ESDP mission is the first naval deployment of European forces, working together. Is that not exactly the sort of operation that people in his party and in mine foresaw, with European nations working together in a military form—or in this case a naval form—for the benefit of all our communities? It is exactly the kind of...

Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Topical Questions (13 May 2008) has video

Paul Keetch: The Foreign Office was rightly congratulated on its support following the tsunami; it provided consular support on the scene and at home. Today, I received a message from a constituent whose parents from Hereford are missing in China. Can the Foreign Secretary assure the House that consular support will be available not only in China, but at the Foreign Office in London to ensure that...

Business of the House: Defence in the World (8 May 2008) has video

Paul Keetch: The hon. Gentleman knows that I have raised this issue with the Prime Minister. Would it not be a fitting tribute to our special forces if those helicopters, which were ordered by John Major and paid for by Tony Blair, were brought into service by the current Prime Minister—or at least if equivalent helicopters were provided?

Business of the House: Defence in the World (8 May 2008) has video

Paul Keetch: Under the terms of the agreement, the Falkland Islands, an overseas territory, does not possess its mineral rights—the UK still does. On the question of the Arctic, is it now Conservative policy that the Royal Navy should be equipped with a fleet of icebreakers? That seemed to be the line of the hon. Gentleman's argument. I can understand why that should be the case for Canada, which...

Business of the House: Defence in the World (8 May 2008) has video

Paul Keetch: Will the Secretary of State give way?

Business of the House: Defence in the World (8 May 2008) has video

Paul Keetch: Would the Secretary of State reflect on the fact that we are talking not about European troops deployed elsewhere, but about European troops in Europe? The achievement of British and European troops in Kosovo—indeed, throughout the former Yugoslav republics—has a direct impact on the security of the UK and the livelihoods of all our constituents. We should be congratulating the...

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Zimbabwe (2 Apr 2008) has video

Paul Keetch: In his discussions, has the Foreign Secretary had time to speak to President Seretse Khama Ian Khama, who was sworn in as President of Botswana only yesterday? I know that the President is a close personal friend of the Secretary of State for International Development. Will the Foreign Secretary be specific about the Commonwealth? If and when Zimbabwe returns to the road of democracy, as the...

Opposition Day — [8th Allotted Day]: Iraq Inquiry (25 Mar 2008) has video

Paul Keetch: I apologise for missing the first minute of the hon. Gentleman's speech. I hope he is not taking the path that I think he is taking. Many people who join the armed forces join not as Scots, Englishmen, Welshmen or Ulstermen, but to fight for a regiment. Entry to many regiments, including one closely associated with my constituency, means becoming a member of the armed forces. Whether the...

Opposition Day — [8th Allotted Day]: Iraq Inquiry (25 Mar 2008) has video

Paul Keetch: It is a pleasure to follow the hon. and learned Member for Medway (Mr. Marshall-Andrews), who made a fine speech. There have been many fine speeches from those arguing in favour of the motions, although not so many from those who oppose them. I shall begin as others have, by paying tribute to 175 British troops who have been killed in the Iraq war. I pay tribute, too, to the 4,000 US troops...

Opposition Day — [8th Allotted Day]: Iraq Inquiry (25 Mar 2008) has video

Paul Keetch: The hon. Gentleman reminds me that it was Lady Eden who said that, and I am grateful to him for once again correcting an historical inaccuracy. There was a time in the run-up to the war when I felt that Iraq was dominating my life. In the months leading up to the conflict, I made three visits to the Gulf, two to the US and one to NATO. Since the war, I have been privileged enough to visit...