Results 1-7 of 7 for gay speaker:Paul Keetch

Public Bill Committee: Armed Forces(Pensions and Compensation) Bill: Clause 4 - Existing naval and marine pensions (10 Feb 2004)

Mr Paul Keetch: ...Hythe (Mr. Howard), said yesterday that he would support the legislation on civil partnerships that the Government might bring forward. He made it clear that he supports what are commonly called gay marriages and would support that legislation should the Government bring it forward. If the leader of the Conservative party says that he supports the principle of civil marriages, why, in...

Defence in the United Kingdom (31 Oct 2002)

Mr Paul Keetch: ...of society, the Ministry of Defence understandably adopts a cautious and precautionary approach, but that has proved costly. We have had to pay compensation for the infringements of the rights of gay men and women in the military. Pregnant soldiers have been summarily dismissed. We should not wait until such issues are tested in the courts before we recognise that a policy needs to adapt....

Armed Forces Personnel (11 Apr 2002)

Mr Paul Keetch: ...the suggestion yesterday that a deal might be struck by MOD lawyers is just another round of litigation. The MOD was taken to the European Court of Human Rights before it would give compensation to gay men and lesbian women who have been wrongly dismissed. The MOD was forced to pay £60 million in compensation to service women obliged to leave the forces on the grounds of pregnancy. We...

War Veterans (8 May 2001)

Mr Paul Keetch: ...so we are discussing only a few hundred people. Some will have had long-term partners, such as Anna, and many will not. I wonder how many more partners of dead soldiers--male, female or, possibly in a short time, gay--will not be entitled to the recognition that should be given. How many more children will start to grow up thinking that the Army has let down their mother or father?...

Orders of the Day — Armed Forces Bill (9 Jan 2001)

Mr Paul Keetch: ...or in the media. Women play a vital role in our armed forces, and must continue to do so. Some of the things that we have heard today about women have been said in the past by Conservatives about gays in the military. We were told that gays in the military would destroy service discipline, and that the Royal Navy would crumble, the Royal Air Force would fall apart and the military would...

Orders of the Day — Armed Forces Bill (9 Jan 2001)

Mr Paul Keetch: Despite what the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) has just said, some Conservative Members have constantly undermined the role of some gay service people. I am glad that the Liberal Democrats never did that. I have faith in our armed forces. I have faith that they can adapt to new circumstances, that they will accept new legislation and that they will continue to be the finest in the...

Armed Forces (ECHR) (12 Jan 2000)

Mr Paul Keetch: ...pointed out that the implementation of the new code of conduct will be a challenge for the leadership of our armed forces. He is right. Does he agree that great sensitivity to the concerns of gay and straight personnel will need to be exercised, if a cultural sea-change is to be achieved without damaging the morale and efficiency of our armed forces? The Secretary of State referred to...