Speeches by Martin.

“Do any other countries pose a threat to the UK with underwater capabilities?”

“They would have to push them back a very long way, right?”

“It is putting our allied military vessels and shipping at risk to make it harder for us to reinforce.”

“Super-interesting. Peter, what is China trying to achieve with its submarine fleet?”

“Naval militia.”

“Wow!”

“There is an island chain of allies—we have two island chains, in fact. One assumes that you could rig that with sonar defences, so that you at least know when Chinese subs are passing in and out of it.”

“Who does the hydrology of the South China sea—maybe hydrology is not the right word, but water columns and characteristics of the topography of the underwater world—give the advantage to?”

“Why?”

“Based on their current curve.”

“Vessel for vessel, UK to China?”

“On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. During Health and Social Care questions on 22 July 2025—over six months ago—the Minister for Secondary Care agreed to meet me to discuss accelerating patient discharges from hospital. I wrote to her on 28 July to arrange that meeting and received no reply. I followed it up wit…”

“Can we find their subs?”

“Is this “we” the Americans or the west?”

“Will the Minister give way?”

“Do prawns feel pain?”

“The Minister is very generous. I have just come from the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, where we were looking at these issues in our inquiry on defending democracy. He has been in front of that inquiry. When will the new elections Bill be coming forward or—perhaps an easier way to ask the question—w…”

“I thank the right hon. Gentleman and his Committee for an excellent report that speaks to some very real issues. We have an opportunity later this year when the defence readiness Bill comes before Parliament for consideration. Does he have any recommendations on what he would like to see in that Bill, and are he and hi…”

“That ambition is fantastic, and I wonder whether we could be more ambitious on the drive-drink limit. Pilots cannot fly if they have any alcohol in their system. Why is it not the same for drivers?”

“As Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, does the right hon. Lady know what the then Foreign Secretary—the Deputy Prime Minister, the right hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy)—knew at that time? Does she think that that should also be brought to the attention of the House in this release of documents?”