Speeches by Martin.

“In the annual report that is to be laid before Parliament, what will we actually be judging? What are the metrics?”

“If we want to do that now, it would cost 3.5% of GDP—it is basically a 50% increase on our current defence budget. When we talk about £2 billion here or £5 billion there, that is peanuts. If we want to lead in the defence of the Euro-Atlantic area, we need an extra £30 billion for our defence budget now. The Government…”

“Okay. If I may, Natalie, you described it almost as subsidiary. You have an independent board, but it receives direction from the Ministry of Defence. We are in a rapidly changing era and geopolitical context, and operational requirements will shift—we might suddenly need to house 1,000 people over here or 10,000 over …”

“The Iranian regime is clearly abhorrent and no one would mourn its passing, but, as someone who fought in Afghanistan, I am grateful to the Prime Minister for saying that we need a viable, thought-through plan. Plainly the United States does not have that plan. President Trump said over the weekend that the US was plan…”

“We have heard this argument a couple of times, and the right hon. Gentleman is making it well. He is making a grave accusation. Surely the easiest way to put this argument to bed would be for the Secretary of State to simply intervene on the right hon. Gentleman and state that auto-enrolment will be rolled out in all a…”

“It is great to speak in a debate that has been so well-tempered, and mostly very thoughtful. I start by welcoming the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds. The Lib Dems have campaigned on that for many decades, so we are delighted that the Government have reached into our policy locker. I also welcome a lo…”

“This is the key point: in an election, if someone has to vote against what they do not want, it poisons our whole democratic well, because voters feel that they end up with something they have not chosen. They have made a negative choice, rather than a positive choice.”

“The hon. Member is making an excellent speech. While we want the war in Ukraine to end and, of course, for Britain to play a leading role in that, including, if appropriate, the provision of troops, does he not share my fear, when we zoom out and look at the geopolitical context, that putting the troops in Estonia in U…”

“That is exactly what is happening in Tunbridge Wells. The secondary schools there have moved together to be smartphone-free, and now the primary schools are having that conversation with the parents.”

“On this point about which Departments had which papers, I note that the Humble Address uses the words “including but not confined to”. Surely papers in the royal household that relate to this matter should also come under the scope of the Humble Address. Does my hon. Friend agree?”

“Thanks for delaying your regular meeting to be here with us this afternoon—it is much appreciated. I have the same question for all of you, and it is about each of your respective devolved Administrations. The new Covenant laid out in the Bill, when it becomes law, will be expanded in scope and there are extra duties t…”

“Irrespective of the Government, are you confident at the civil service level in Wales?”

“That is really helpful. Thank you.”

“This has been a shamefully incompetent episode, and perhaps the most shameful part of it is that the Government have been forced to use taxpayers’ money to pay the claimant’s costs. Could the Secretary of State tell us exactly how much taxpayers’ money has been given to the claimant? Perhaps if he cannot do so, the hon…”

“I congratulate the Secretary of State on the White Paper. She clearly cares about this, which bodes well for the outcome. For too long, the cost of SEND support has fallen on local authorities, and that has had a knock-on effect on the other services they provide, such as libraries and roads. It now seems—if I am readi…”

“Thank you very much; this is very interesting. Brett, I wonder if I could start with you, as the sole American on the panel. I would be interested in your experience.”

“Surround Murmansk.”

“That is super-interesting. Is there anything else before we move on from China, or anything else that we need to know about China? Professor Roberts: Brian’s point is really important. The rate at which they are accelerating is shocking. I don’t think we have ever seen anything like this in terms of a state developing …”

“Hopefully you will see why from my question. We have spoken about Russia. What about China? What has China’s journey been? Where are they at now? What are their capabilities like, and what do they want to do with them?”

“Keep it simple, stupid.”