Results 1-20 of 405 for (in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates') speaker:Willie Rennie

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (11 Nov 2009)

Willie Rennie: I am grateful for the opportunity. I did not know that the Minister took such great interest in my party's position. We have made it clear that, first, the decision was premature, and secondly, we will not replace Trident on a like-for-like basis. We have made that statement and my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for North-East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell) is conducting a review to...

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (11 Nov 2009)

Willie Rennie: I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Manchester, Central (Tony Lloyd) for introducing the debate. His remarks were calm and considered, but he was also extremely knowledgeable in his presentation of the facts. Given that this is such an important issue, which rouses considerable passions, he deserves quite a bit of credit for that. The hon. Member for Islington, North (Jeremy Corbyn), too,...

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (11 Nov 2009)

Willie Rennie: China is looking beyond its borders. In the past, it was quite isolationist. It is now looking abroad—to a certain degree controversially so with Africa—but if it is operating in a more global sense there may be opportunities. With a man like Obama at the helm, and with the great support of the establishment in America, we might well make significant progress. I also pay tribute,...

Olympics: Energy National Policy Statements (9 Nov 2009) has video

Willie Rennie: I noticed that the Energy Secretary did not answer the question from the Conservative Front Bencher about the 2014 deadline for the carbon capture and storage pilot. I also noticed that the number of bidders has dropped to two. I hope that that, together with the delay in construction at Kingsnorth, does not mean that the 2014 deadline will be put back.

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (4 Nov 2009) has video

Willie Rennie: Does the Prime Minister remember promising that Rosyth would not become a nuclear graveyard? Fifteen years later, not only are seven nuclear submarines still rotting in the dockyard, but the Prime Minister is considering the dockyard as a permanent location for those submarines. When will he live up to his promise?

Oral Answers to Questions — Defence: Gray Report (2 Nov 2009) has video

Willie Rennie: What steps he plans to take to reform the practices and processes of his Department in response to the Gray report on defence acquisition.

Oral Answers to Questions — Defence: Gray Report (2 Nov 2009) has video

Willie Rennie: The Minister will have seen reports about the joint strike fighter and the aircraft carriers. Can he confirm whether those reports are accurate, and whether they will result in a reduction in aircraft, a reduction in the specification for the aircraft carriers, or both? In the context of the Gray report, does the Minister think that any such changes would represent value for money?

Opposition Day — [20th Allotted Day]: Future of the Territorial Army (28 Oct 2009) has video

Willie Rennie: For the first time ever, I had the Defence Secretary on his knees. Before his speech, he was begging for forgiveness, but unfortunately it was only for the fact that he has to leave early for an appointment at 5 o'clock. I forgive him if he leaves, but I am sorry that he will miss the brilliant speech that I am about to give. I associate myself with the remarks made by the hon. Member for...

Opposition Day — [20th Allotted Day]: Future of the Territorial Army (28 Oct 2009) has video

Willie Rennie: Next time I make a speech, I will sit a wee bit further along so that the hon. Gentleman cannot read it. He makes exactly the points that I planned to make, and does so in a forceful and valid manner. The long-term damage that has been caused to the divide between the regulars and the reservists will take some time to recover. There will be a constant fear that next time the pressure comes,...

Opposition Day — [20th Allotted Day]: Future of the Territorial Army (28 Oct 2009) has video

Willie Rennie: The hon. Gentleman is spot on. The 2006 National Audit Office report specifically referred to the fact that many of those in the TA—about one in three—reckoned that there was insufficient support for their employers. To make further cuts on top of that surely does not send the right message to employers that they should take seriously their contributions to the defence of the...

Opposition Day — [20th Allotted Day]: Future of the Territorial Army (28 Oct 2009) has video

Willie Rennie: Point well made. The situation calls into question the Government's judgment. It was already in question over the Gurkha situation, which they mishandled badly. For a long time they misread the mood of the public, who had great passion for the Gurkhas. Unfortunately, the same team of Ministers has made the same mistake again. They have misread the public mood, and I do not believe that they...

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions: Defence Acquisition (Independent Review) (19 Oct 2009) has video

Willie Rennie: In the spirit of transparency referred to in the report, will the Secretary of State clear up the reason for the two-year delay to the carriers—was it the Lynx helicopter or the JSF? Can he guarantee that there will be no further delays to the carriers?

Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland: Electricity Transmission Network (14 Oct 2009) has video

Willie Rennie: Has the Minister had discussions with the Energy Secretary about the punitive charging regime for the construction—the upgrade—during that period of the Scottish-English interconnector? I ask that because there is great concern that the regime will be punitive for Scottish generators.

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: UK Low Carbon Transition Plan (15 Jul 2009)

Willie Rennie: As Longannet power station is in my constituency, I am obviously keen for it to win the CCS competition, in which Scottish Power is an enthusiastic bidder. We are keen for the decision to be announced as soon as possible. Can the Secretary of State go further than saying that he is enthusiastic for it to move forward as fast as possible and give us an indication of when the result will be...

Oral Answers to Questions — Treasury: River Forth Crossing (UK Government Assistance) (14 Jul 2009) has video

Willie Rennie: What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on UK Government assistance for the construction of a new crossing over the River Forth.

Oral Answers to Questions — Treasury: River Forth Crossing (UK Government Assistance) (14 Jul 2009) has video

Willie Rennie: I warmly welcome the acceptance that the UK Government should help the Scottish Government to fund this vital new crossing, but when will the Government come forward with real new money to help to pay for the bridge? Will they also consider speedily bringing in new borrowing powers for the Scottish Government, so that they can spread the cost over a number of years, as has been proposed by...

Oral Answers to Questions — Defence: Equipment Renewal (13 Jul 2009) has video

Willie Rennie: Is it good value for money to spend an additional £1 billion on the aircraft carriers without creating one extra job or any additional capability on those carriers? Will the Secretary of State guarantee that there will be no further delays in the construction of these carriers?