Speeches by Cooper.

“Trying to make an equivalence between the US and Russia is just totally ridiculous and deeply inappropriate. We have seen the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the kidnapping of Ukrainian children. In contrast, we have our relationship with the US, in which it is discussing security guarantees for Ukraine. I think that i…”

“We have discussions going on in the coalition of the willing. There are preparations for them as we speak, because the discussions are being taken tomorrow. Those are all about strengthening our national security as part of strengthening Ukraine’s national security.”

“As I have said, we will not shed a tear for Maduro and his deeply damaging regime. It is for the US to set out the legal basis of its actions, which we were not involved in. We will promote the democratic transition, which we have continually argued for as part of the policies on Venezuela that we have set out over man…”

“The hon. Member should not make a false equivalence between different situations; it would be inappropriate to do so. We will continue to work with the US in the discussions this week on the defence of Ukraine, which is in itself about maintaining international law and the rules-based order, just as we will continue to…”

“I have been in touch with the US Secretary of State about our position on Greenland, and the Prime Minister made it extremely clear today. We have made it clear to the House that we feel strongly that it is important that Greenland is part of Denmark and that the future of Greenland is for the people of Greenland and n…”

“I would not expect that, and I certainly would not want to see that at all. This has been an ongoing negotiation on the details; a political agreement has already been reached and signed up to by the Government of Gibraltar and the UK and Spanish Governments, and it is important that that is taken forward as rapidly as…”

“Thank you very much and happy Christmas to you all. [1] The witness later clarified that the correct figure is £1 million.”

“I think the way in which the Committee was able to question Ed Llewellyn was a good thing, so I am recognising the point that you are making while also saying that I think this should be something to do with the way you can take evidence from ambassadors more widely.”

“Anything that is about taking evidence from them before they take up post when there is somebody else in post, for example, is quite challenging in terms of the roles that we need people to play. Also, ambassadors need to be representatives of the whole British Government. Ultimately, I and other Ministers are accounta…”

“We do want ambassadors, including those who are political appointments, to be able to give evidence to the Committee where it is appropriate to do so, so I can say that yes, we will facilitate that.”

“You will probably understand that for us to do hearings and so on while a political process, or an appointment process, is under way would obviously be very difficult.”

“As you say, this is a long-standing and deeply troubling issue. We continue to encourage the Sri Lankan Government to recognise the legitimate concerns about the need for truth and reconciliation, and to properly recognise and address some of the long-standing and serious problems and grievances. We will continue to ra…”

“Thank you for raising that point. This was just the most devastating of cyclones. I send condolences not only to all those who have lost loved ones, but in respect of the damage that people have seen to their homes and communities. We provided £675,000[1] of support through the Red Cross and UN partners, as well as civ…”

“It reflects the strength of our commitment to the World Service and our support for it that we gave it a significant uplift in funding this year—I think it was a 30% increase in funding to the World Service this year. That is exactly because we hugely value the work that it does. You will obviously understand that that…”

“I think, to be fair, there is a whole piece of legislation going through, which offers lots of opportunities for lots of discussions in both Houses of Parliament. There have also been very many long debates, both in the Commons and the Lords, about some of the issues, including around Chagos, BIOT and so on, so there h…”

“There will be the normal processes around treaties, which include scrutiny in the Chamber. That will include discussions. It will also obviously be your prerogative to ask questions and scrutinise that from the point of view of this Select Committee as well.”

“We hope to be able to share that as swiftly as possible. The political agreement obviously was reached, but we are not yet ready to publish the full treaty. That will be published and will go before the House in due course; there will be plenty of opportunities to scrutinise the treaty.”

“I understand the point that the Committee is making here; this is something that Stephen Doughty has been dealing with in the Department, and I understand the concerns about transparency that you are raising. My expectation would be that there will be a publication, but I will pursue this issue and get back to you.”

“I don’t know the answer to that.”

“I understand that we do have information on it, but I have not yet seen the details of it.”