Member

Amendment 35 from the noble Baroness, Lady Goldie, seeks to impose a statutory requirement on the Secretary of State for Defence to ensure the continued operation of the base on Diego Garcia at all times. It should be stressed that the Defence Secretary is already performing these duties to the full extent of his powers. Defence of the realm is one of the most fundamental tasks of any Government, as the noble Baroness knows because she has done it, as has the noble Lord, Lord Ahmad.