Speeches by Ballinger.

“We very much held our powder. Now that Trump has stepped back from Greenland, what lessons can we take away about the influence we might have on American policy?”

“The fact that European countries were very condemnatory on Greenland, in a way that regional countries in South America were less full-throated in the run-up to Venezuela—”

“We have talked about the Donroe doctrine and the success of the operation from an American perspective. Is Greenland and the threats that were made just a natural, logical next step for the Americans? Is Iran a further logical next step? Where do you see this going?”

“We very much held our powder. Now that Trump has stepped back from Greenland, what lessons can we take away about the influence we might have on American policy?”

“The fact that European countries were very condemnatory on Greenland, in a way that regional countries in South America were less full-throated in the run-up to Venezuela—”

“We have talked about the Donroe doctrine and the success of the operation from an American perspective. Is Greenland and the threats that were made just a natural, logical next step for the Americans? Is Iran a further logical next step? Where do you see this going?”

“How have the Governments responded to the intervention?”

“I join the Minister in condemning Iran’s brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters in recent weeks. However, it is also important that those who do Iran’s bidding on the streets of the UK—particularly in targeting peaceful protesters—are held to account. I welcomed, last year, the UK’s decision to put Iran on the foreign…”

“How have regional countries such as Brazil, Colombia and Cuba responded to the intervention?”

“The Prime Minister will know that many excellent west midlands businesses export to China, including great car makers such as Jaguar Land Rover, the Morgan Motor Company and Aston Martin. Collectively, those car exports are worth more than those from any other region in the UK, I would say. Can the Prime Minister outli…”

“Mr Doyle?”

“Several of you mentioned the need for accountability, with Israel’s military activity in Lebanon and Syria going across several lines. What do you think the UK should be doing to ensure that accountability? What should we as a Committee be recommending to Ministers?”

“Sorry, I think that we might have to move on, but I have one more question before we do. How are the strikes, the killing of civilians and the five outposts inside Lebanese territory compatible with UN Security Council resolution 1701 and with international law? I see that Mr Doyle has his hand up.”

“Yes, 127 is the number of civilians who have been killed, according to the UN.”

“Who would that military operation be against? Because, of course, Hezbollah has been weakened intensely after 2024’s attack. I don’t know the situation there. Are Hezbollah rearming; are they planning other things? Is that a fair reflection—or what is the situation?”

“Sorry, the mission is maintaining stability in—”

“Mr Levy, you mentioned the importance of strengthening the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. How would you assess its stability at the moment, considering the frequent violations that Mr Doyle mentioned?”

“I do not have the statistics in front of me, but the right hon. Gentleman will know that the overwhelming number of prosecutions that have happened in Northern Ireland have been of paramilitaries and terrorist groups. Only one serviceperson has been convicted since 2010, and that was on a suspended sentence. I am afrai…”

“I will give way one more time, but then I must make progress.”

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to gently correct the hon. and gallant Gentleman. When asked that question a few weeks ago, the Prime Minister said categorically that we would not allow Gerry Adams to claim compensation. There are several civil cases that would be blocked, supporting the victims of IRA terrorism,…”