Contributions
413 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDService Personnel: Statute of LimitationsMy right hon. Friend highlights—because he understands them—the complexities of this issue, not the least of which is that it transcends not just Northern Ireland but different…25 Mar 2019HANSARDCapitaThe Army continues to work closely with Capita with multiple interventions now in place and the delivery of improvements. Regular soldier applications remain at a five-year high…25 Mar 2019HANSARDCapitaI answered that question earlier and, with respect to the hon. Lady, she clearly did not listen to the answer I just gave her. Applications are up; there is the start of a…25 Mar 2019HANSARDCapitaMy hon. Friend raises a very important issue and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is engaging with the Home Office in an attempt to solve it.25 Mar 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsOf course, the reality is that NATO is the cornerstone of our defence. Although in the past we have participated in EU missions such as Operation Atalanta and Operation Althea, we…25 Mar 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs the hon. Gentleman knows, we neither confirm nor deny the use of our special forces.25 Mar 2019HANSARD War Pensions: Appeals ProcessMy hon. Friend makes an important point: while there is very much a process—this goes very much to the heart of our armed forces and how we operate—the wider support mechanism…13 Mar 2019HANSARD War Pensions: Appeals ProcessI start by congratulating the hon. Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Justin Madders) on securing this evening’s debate on this very important subject. At the outset, I should…13 Mar 2019HANSARDRecruiting STEM Graduates into DefenceThe Ministry of Defence is strongly committed to recruiting and developing the brightest and best young people it can to support our armed forces and wider defence requirements.…11 Mar 2019HANSARD Carrier Strike StrategyIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Graham. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Robert Courts) on securing this important and timely debate. It…28 Feb 2019HANSARD Carrier Strike StrategyMy hon. Friend makes an important point about interoperability. Of course, that is the whole point of the first deployment, when we will have US marine corps jets on our platform.…28 Feb 2019HANSARD Carrier Strike StrategyI think my comments demonstrate that we are well placed to renew this capability in the Royal Navy and, crucially, how well placed we are—a point made by several hon. Members—to…28 Feb 2019HANSARD Carrier Strike StrategyIn that case, without going through the letter, I assure my right hon. Friend that it answers his questions, so far as I am concerned. My hon. Friend the Member for Witney made…28 Feb 2019HANSARD Carrier Strike StrategyI could not agree more with the hon. Gentleman, so may I draw his attention, as an example of what he is asking for, to the recently published Africa strategy? That is a…28 Feb 2019HANSARD Carrier Strike StrategyIndeed; that is a perfectly reasonable point. My right hon. Friend wrote to the Minister with responsibility for defence procurement, my hon. Friend the Member for Pudsey (Stuart…28 Feb 2019HANSARDChemical Weapons Convention: Annual Statement of UK Protective Programme 2017My right hon. Friend the Minister in the House of Lords (the right hon. the Earl Howe PC) has made the following written ministerial statement. The UK’s chemical protection…19 Feb 2019HANSARDWarship ConstructionLet us be clear that we are committed to maintaining the numbers of our frigates and destroyers. Indeed, later this year we will see the second of our aircraft carriers come out…18 Feb 2019HANSARDWarship ConstructionMy right hon. Friend is absolutely right. May I take this opportunity to thank him once again for the valuable contribution he made through his report last year? He made, off the…18 Feb 2019HANSARDWarship ConstructionI know that, for example, my colleague the Defence Procurement Minister has had several discussions with the constituency MP, my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby (Mark Pawsey).…18 Feb 2019HANSARDWarship ConstructionI am grateful to my hon. Friend, who is an absolute champion for his constituency and the south-west. Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport and the south-west of England continue to…18 Feb 2019