more … ]]> I do not want to embark on a theological discussion about deterrence, but does the right hon. Gentleman accept that the effectiveness of deterrence depends on the party against which nuclear weapons might be used being unwilling to accept the consequences of using them? To base the whole issue of non-proliferation in the middle east on something so uncertain—the regime is renowned for its uncertainty—would be very dangerous.

more … ]]> Thus far, our debate has concentrated on the political and the pragmatic, but does the Foreign Secretary feel reinforced in the attitude he has just expressed from the Dispatch Box by the fact that, under customary international law, there is an obligation to exhaust all possible political and diplomatic alternatives before embarking on military action? Is that not what we are engaged in?

more … ]]> ]]> http://www.mingcampbell.org.uk/2012/02/20/citizens-advice-scotland-fair-employment-report/feed/ 0 http://www.edms.org.uk/2010-12/2693.htm http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MingCampbell/~3/ooivLNDQIco/ http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2012-02-20b.92762.h&m=40438#g92762.q0#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 Ming Campbell MP http://www.mingcampbell.org.uk/?guid=db0e74708d6c6bdcaf94c3756f6ed9ab

more … ]]> To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 18 January 2012, Official Report, column 830W, on military bases, when the former Secretary of State for Defence discussed the creation of an Army base at Kirknewton with the Scottish Government and the First Minister of Scotland; and whether a written note was taken of the discussions.

more … ]]> To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 18 January 2012, Official Report, column 830W, on military bases, when the former Secretary of State for Defence discussed the creation of an Army base at Kirknewton with the Scottish Government and the First Minister of Scotland; and whether a written note was taken of the discussions.

more … ]]> I hope that my right hon. Friend will excuse me if I return to the issue of the attitude of the United States and of the French, but there is a common background. Each country is in the throes of an acrimonious presidential election, and it leads me to the conclusion that statements may be made for political rather than military reasons. If some of the predictions, based on what Mr Panetta has said and has never withdrawn, were to be fulfilled, the

military position of British troops would be substantially altered. Can we be satisfied that both my right hon. Friend and the Secretary of State for Defence are aware of that and are ready to take steps if necessary to protect the interests of British forces?

more … ]]> What confidence can we have that unilateral intervention by Russia will put an end to the terrible violence in Syria?

more … ]]> ]]> http://www.mingcampbell.org.uk/2012/02/08/close-season-for-hare-shooting/feed/ 0 http://www.edms.org.uk/2010-12/2531.htm http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MingCampbell/~3/no_4K72NLD0/ http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-02-06c.23.0&m=40438#g30.2#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:42:00 +0000 Ming Campbell MP http://www.mingcampbell.org.uk/?guid=b90f61b77752ffcddc3710afc324ba8f

more … ]]> Is it not clear that the exercise of the veto by any permanent member of the Security Council always comes at a cost? The shameful events of last Saturday will be no exception to this principle. In this case, is not the immediate cost being paid in the broken bodies of children wrapped in burial sheets and the anguish of their parents? My right hon. Friend clearly needs no urging about the urgency with which he should fulfil the objectives he has properly set out, but may I say that he is most well placed when he takes the view that there should be the widest possible coalition of the willing throughout the world—as, indeed, the vote in the Security Council emphasised—so that what the United Nations was unable to do might be achieved on a much broader basis through the maintenance of pressure on Syria?

more … ]]> Is it not clear that the exercise of the veto by any permanent member of the Security Council always comes at a cost? The shameful events of last Saturday will be no exception to this principle. In this case, is not the immediate cost being paid in the broken bodies of children wrapped in burial sheets and the anguish of their parents? My right hon. Friend clearly needs no urging about the urgency with which he should fulfil the objectives he has properly set out, but may I say that he is most well placed when he takes the view that there should be the widest possible coalition of the willing throughout the world—as, indeed, the vote in the Security Council emphasised—so that what the United Nations was unable to do might be achieved on a much broader basis through the maintenance of pressure on Syria?