House of Commons
Parliament

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Former defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon says the "tragic severity" of recent attacks "underline the threats these terrorist groups continue to pose".

He argues there would be "huge implications" if the "fragile democracy is allowed to collapse", urging the government not to downgrade its involvement.

The minister replies that progress towards democracy is "continuing" but "must be Afghan-led".

House of Lords
Parliament

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Lib Dem climate spokesperson Baroness Featherstone says she welcomes the new plan, but says the targets are not strong or urgent enough.

She calls for the strategy to be "placed on a statutory footing" adding: "warm words will not be enough".

She asks for more information on how the government will have to report back on progress made on reaching the ambitions included in the plan.

House of Lords
Parliament

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Environment Minister Lord Gardiner of Kimble says the 25-year timeframe for the new strategy is evidence of a "long-term approach" to environmentalism.

The plan includes "clear goals", he says, including reducing the effect of air pollution on health and the quality of water in rivers.

Improving the environment will be put "at the heart" of planning and development, he adds.

The UK's ban on microbeads, he says, is "one of the strongest in the world" and "demonstrated global leadership".

House of Lords
Parliament

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Peers now move onto their main debate today, on the government's new 25-year environment strategy.

Launching the plan earlier this month, Prime Minister Theresa May pledged to eradicate all avoidable plastic waste in the UK by 2042.

Supermarkets will be urged to introduce "plastic-free" aisles, while taxes and charges on single-use items such as takeaway containers will be considered under the plan.

She also confirmed an extension of the 5p charge for plastic carrier bags to all retailers in England.

House of Commons
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Stephen Doughty says there have been "a series of horrific attacks" in Afghanistan, carried out by the Taliban, so-called Islamic State and others.

He adds that NGOs have told him there have been "156 attacks on aid workers" but he is concerned that UK involvement is "waning".

Mr Doughty asks what extent "elements from Pakistan, Iran and Russia" are involved in Aghanistan and whether the UK will increase "military and development contributions".

Foreign Office Minister Mark Field tells him that the UK is part of "a network of international counter-terrorism" and "for us, to leave Afghanistan would not be possible".

House of Commons
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Labour's Stephen Doughty is asking an urgent question on recent Taliban and so-called Islamic State attacks on civilians in Afghanistan.

Taliban and IS attacks have soared this month, leaving scores dead.

On Saturday, an ambulance packed with explosives killed more than 100 people in a shopping area of Kabul. The Taliban claimed the attack, the deadliest in months.

Foreign Office Minister Mark Field says the government is "appalled and deeply saddened" and the attacks demonstrate "the lowest disregard for humanity".

He vows to continue to support Afghanistan against terrorism.

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With the urgent question over and David Davis's session at the Lords EU committee finished, Brexit business is done for the day. The Commons and Lords move on...

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative Paul Masterton characterises UK voters as "practical and pragmatic" and keen for a "Brexit that works".

He asks the minister to ensure the process is "not dictated by fringe groups".

Robin Walker replies simply: "Yes."

On a similar note, Labour's Helen Goodman urges him to stand up to "the middle-aged, swivel-eyed men behind him".

Mr Walker reminds her of the high level of support for Brexit in the north east.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Labour's Lord Whitty says that nearly all trade agreements have a dispute resolution system. He asks what form they will take in agreements with the EU.

Mr Davis says the government has published a paper on this.

"Yes, and it had a large number of options in it," Lord Whitty replies.

Mr Davis says the UK has a judicial procedure in the UK. On issues like justice and home affairs, he says he expects a much more political body to deal with such disputes.

Lord Whitty asks if the government has considered the European Free Trade Association Court for trade disputes.

Mr Davis says the government wants trade disputes to be managed by trade panels for the issue in question.

With that, the committee session ends.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Crossbencher Lord Crisp asks how progress on Brexit negotiations will be reported to Parliament.

Mr Davis recalls that last year he gave ten statements to the Commons, as well as responding to half a dozen debates on individual issues.

He says a lot of feedback will reach the government via the 15 bills the government is putting through on Brexit.

"It's quite a burden," David Davis states, adding that parliamentary scrutiny will be a mixture of statements and committee appearances.

"I am probably the busiest parliamentary Secretary of State," he adds.

House of Commons
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Labour's Paul Flynn asks what the government will do if the House rejects a final Brexit deal.

MPs have clashed over whether rejection of a deal should mean no Brexit or leaving the EU without a deal.

Minister Robin Walker says MPs have already voted for Article 50, meaning the UK is leaving the EU.

House of Commons
Parliament

Lib Dem spokesman Tom Brake urges the minister to put "the Brexit ultras... back in their box".

He says businesses want the UK to stay in the customs union and single market "for at least two years".

Robin Walker disagrees, saying many businesses have backed an implementation period and see "opportunities" in Brexit.

House of Commons
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Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh warns against what he nicknames BINO - "Brexit in name only".

House of Lords
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Labour's Lord West of Spithead, a former First Sea Lord, says cynicism about efficiencies is "not surprising".

He says that the minister has "very loyally" spent the last year saying that "all in the defence garden is rosy", whilst the new defence secretary had urged more money for defence a year ago.

"There is a very real crisis in defence", he says, and asks whether it is possible within current budgets to find extra money to stop cuts to training programmes.

The minister, Earl Howe, says he agrees cuts to training are "regrettable", but that they are "temporary".

He adds that he is confident the Ministry of Defence can "get through this year in good shape".

House of Lords
Parliament

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Meanwhile, in the Lords chamber, peers hear a repeat of a statement made in the Commons last week announcing a new government review into modernising the UK armed forces.

Shadow Defence Minister Lord Tunnicliffe picks up on plans to review the scope for further "efficiencies" within the Ministry of Defence.

"All to often in defence, efficiencies have meant cuts", he adds.

He says when the statement was made in the Commons, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson promised the review would not be "financially neutral".

He asks for a "straightforward yes or no" on whether this means defence spending is due to go up.

Defence Minister Earl Howe replies says he doesn't want to "preempt" the result of discussions between the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury.

House of Commons
Parliament

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Shadow Brexit minister Paul Blomfield says there is a "majority for sensible approach to Brexit" and the government should reach out to them "instead of letting the European Research Group call the shots".

ERG is an influential grouping of hard Brexiteers led by the Conservative Jacob Rees-Mogg.

He asks if they now recognise it was "wrong to rule out membership of the customs union and a close relationship with the single market".

The minister responds that it's clear there's a majority for Brexit and he won't take lessons from Labour, who he accuses of holding "a different position every day of the week".

House of Commons
Parliament

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Tory backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg says the phase one agreement between the UK and EU should be implemented in full first, adding: "Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed."

Robin Walker argues that all talks and agreements must "have the framework of a future relationship".

House of Commons
Parliament

SNP Europe spokesman Stephen Gethins says the Scottish government has published analysis of the impact of Brexit and asks when the UK government will do the same.

Robin Walker says ministers will do "all the work" required to prepare for the implementation.

Conservative backbencher Anna Soubry urges the government to put the economy above "ideology".

She says there are "only about 35" supporters of a so-called "hard Brexit" on the Tory benches - to shouts of disagreement from other Conservative MPs.

She warns that the UK could "sleepwalk into a disastrous Brexit".

Select Committee
Parliament

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Back in the Lords EU committee, a Conservative Baroness Verma asks David Davis if "realistically" two years will be enough to reach an agreement. She says previous treaties have taken time.

Mr Davis says that the treaty will be "simpler" than most, as the UK is seeking a "comprehensive" and zero tariff agreement with the EU.

He adds that in many cases, the UK has "the same standards" as the rest of the EU.