Results 1-20 of 5,485 for (in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates') speaker:Ivan Lewis

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (11 Nov 2009)

Ivan Lewis: I begin by congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Tony Lloyd) on securing such an important debate and by paying tribute to him, as one of my predecessors as a Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister and in his role as a parliamentarian, for being a long-standing champion of a nuclear-free world. As my hon. Friend said, we are facing a year of unique opportunity,...

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (11 Nov 2009)

Ivan Lewis: I agree with my hon. Friend. Such guarantees would be extremely important to a long-term settlement in the middle east, at the heart of which would be a two-state solution and the offer from the Arab League states to normalise relations with Israel. We should pay serious attention to that issue as we move towards the review conference in May.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (11 Nov 2009)

Ivan Lewis: And to Iran.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (11 Nov 2009)

Ivan Lewis: Logically, a convention could be the ultimate legal underpinning of a nuclear weapon-free world. However, we cannot wish away current political realities and pretend that negotiations on such a convention would make headway. We believe that having a new conference or new bodies to discuss such a convention at this time would run the risk of undermining the NPT. We are concerned about the...

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (11 Nov 2009)

Ivan Lewis: I thank the hon. Gentleman for clarifying that the Liberal Democrats are conducting a review and that they have certainly not made a decision not to replace Trident in any form. It is important that the public are clear about the respective policies of the political parties that are represented in the House. I want to deal with the point that my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central...

Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Tibet (20 Oct 2009)

Ivan Lewis: We regard Tibet as part of China, albeit as an autonomous region. Our interest is in long-term stability, which can be achieved through respect for human rights and greater autonomy for Tibetans. We believe that substantive dialogue between the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama is the best way to achieve this.

Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Tibet (20 Oct 2009)

Ivan Lewis: In terms of leverage, the fact that I was the first Minister to be invited by the Chinese Government to visit Tibet recently and that the all-party group, of which the hon. Gentleman is a member, was also allowed and encouraged to visit Tibet demonstrates that that shift in policy has enabled us to exercise significant influence over the Chinese Government. Let us be clear about the issues....

Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Tibet (20 Oct 2009)

Ivan Lewis: My hon. Friend raises an extremely important point. Subsequent to my visit, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I raised the issue of human rights violations with Dai Bigguo, the state councillor from China, and I have also had a lengthy meeting with the very able ambassador to China. Various issues need to be addressed: we must make sure that ethnic Tibetans benefit from the...

Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Tibet (20 Oct 2009)

Ivan Lewis: When the hon. Gentleman asks why Britain does not allow the Tibetans freedom, he is clearly living in the past. The other important point is that the Dalai Lama himself does not demand independence for Tibet: what he demands is genuine autonomy and religious freedom, which has long been the policy of the rest of the international community. There is no doubt that, as a consequence of the...

Nato (20 Oct 2009)

Ivan Lewis: In the last 12 months we have spent £22,000 in support of the Atlantic Council UK. This covers activities from 2008 to 2010. The council undertakes activities to raise NATO's profile and, as the hon. Gentleman will be aware, recently set up a youth chapter. From November, it will begin a schools programme to further raise awareness of NATO's activities.

Nato (20 Oct 2009)

Ivan Lewis: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. First, I agree with the hon. Gentleman about NATO's central role in our national security, and in the relationship between the EU and the US. Of course we expect all NATO members to make their fair contribution when it comes to engaging young people and raising awareness among them. Finally, of course I would be willing to meet a youth delegation.

Nato (20 Oct 2009)

Ivan Lewis: I agree with my hon. Friend. It is very important that we do not fall for the myth that will be familiar to all hon. Members from their constituency responsibilities—that young people are somehow not interested in politics or international affairs. All hon. Members who visit local schools and colleges know that young people are incredibly interested in the issues that affect the world....

Nato: Arab Peace Initiative (20 Oct 2009)

Ivan Lewis: I visited the Palestinian territories in August, and met Ministers and the President's chief of staff. The Foreign Secretary spoke to the Palestinian Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, most recently on 12 October. All our discussions include the need for urgent progress towards a comprehensive peace in the middle east, with a two-state solution between the Israelis and the Palestinians...

Nato: Arab Peace Initiative (20 Oct 2009)

Ivan Lewis: What can I say, Mr. Speaker? My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. I believe genuinely that this is the last best chance for peace in the middle east for a generation. We should give our full support to the initiative led by President Obama, particularly with the appointment of Senator Mitchell. This is now the time in the middle east for responsible and visionary leadership. As my right...

Nato: Arab Peace Initiative (20 Oct 2009)

Ivan Lewis: I agree entirely with the hon. Gentleman. It is important not only that we see justice for the Palestinians in terms of the Palestinian state, but that we give assurances to the Israeli people that their security will be protected should a two-state agreement be reached. That is why it is so important that the Arab world sends very clear and strong messages to terrorist organisations such as...

Nato: Refugee Camps (Chad) (20 Oct 2009)

Ivan Lewis: We are understandably concerned by reports from the United Nations and non-governmental organisations highlighting the dangers that Darfuri women face in and around refugee camps in eastern Chad.

Nato: Refugee Camps (Chad) (20 Oct 2009)

Ivan Lewis: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not only agreed to be my assistant on this occasion, but has agreed to accede to my hon. Friend's request to write to the UN about this incredibly important issue and raise the concerns of the British Government.

Nato: Refugee Camps (Chad) (20 Oct 2009)

Ivan Lewis: That is entirely consistent with the policies that the Government have promoted on this issue over a very long time, so the UK will be providing leadership on this.

Nato: Topical Questions (20 Oct 2009)

Ivan Lewis: We believe in not only the rights of trade unions in this country, but in the rights of trade unions in Iraq. At the heart of the Iraqi constitution is the right to organise in a free trade union, and I would certainly enter into discussions with my hon. Friend about how we make this a reality. When I visit Iraq at some stage over the next few months, I shall raise the point directly with the...

Nato: Topical Questions (20 Oct 2009)

Ivan Lewis: I agree with my hon. Friend. President Obama has made it clear that the trigger for comprehensive negotiations that will lead to a two-state solution are, first, the freezing of illegal Israeli settlements, which has long been the British position, and, secondly, a positive gesture towards the state of Israel from the Arab world. We believe that there is no time to waste in responding...