Contributions
589 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD A Better Defence EstateI will resist the temptation to reopen the Brexit debate again, but the right hon. Gentleman is right to raise concerns about future confirmation of what is happening to our…28 Feb 2019HANSARD A Better Defence EstateMy hon. Friend is right to highlight, as I did earlier, that this is not just about housing—I saw the Housing Minister here earlier; it is important to remember that we are…28 Feb 2019HANSARD A Better Defence EstateThe hon. Gentleman, quite rightly and eloquently, describes the pieces of the jigsaw that make a successful garrison or Army unit in any locality: links with the community,…28 Feb 2019HANSARD A Better Defence EstateI welcome the hon. Gentleman’s support for the Royal Marines as a whole—we have had a series of debates on these matters—but I should make it clear that there is certainty around…28 Feb 2019HANSARD A Better Defence EstateI pay tribute to my hon. Friend for the energy and determination that she has put into retaining this asset. It was a huge pleasure to visit Condor a couple of months ago. If I…28 Feb 2019HANSARD A Better Defence EstateFirst, I pay tribute to the hon. Lady for the detail and energy with which she pursues these matters. It is important that we scrutinise these issues carefully. As I have said,…28 Feb 2019HANSARD A Better Defence EstateI am sure that Treasury Ministers are glued to the monitors as we speak. My hon. Friend is right—everybody knows that I am very much in favour of collective responsibility and not…28 Feb 2019HANSARD A Better Defence EstateI welcome the hon. Gentleman’s questions and his party’s interest in these matters—perhaps we could meet and discuss them in more detail. He raised issues of representation that…28 Feb 2019HANSARD A Better Defence EstateMy right hon. Friend does not do social media—very wise. I will send him a pigeon with the information. Let me take this opportunity, if I may, to say that if there are veterans…28 Feb 2019HANSARD A Better Defence EstateFirst, I am pleased that my right hon. Friend has mentioned the prospect or possibility of veterans returning to Normandy for the 75th anniversary. He obviously does not follow my…28 Feb 2019HANSARD A Better Defence EstateWith permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the progress of our defence estate optimisation programme. Let me first pay tribute to those who have worn and who…28 Feb 2019HANSARD A Better Defence EstateI welcome the hon. Lady’s tone and her general support in this area. She is right to talk of the bond that exists between any unit, garrison or base and the local community. Many…28 Feb 2019HANSARD A Better Defence EstateThe hon. Lady is right to touch on the activities of Russia. It is investing hugely in all three arenas of operations, air, sea and land, but especially submarines. By investing…28 Feb 2019HANSARD A Better Defence EstateI hear the message first, but my hon. Friend raises an important aspect of looking after our veterans. I hope the whole House will join me in paying tribute to those who have worn…28 Feb 2019HANSARD A Better Defence EstateFirst, on the hon. Gentleman’s particular area, I think the whole House supports the fantastic events that will take place in 100 days’ time, and I join him in saying that…28 Feb 2019HANSARD A Better Defence EstateThe hon. Gentleman raises a very important point about what happens in succession and the support we need to provide. I can write to him in detail on what we are doing in Northern…28 Feb 2019HANSARD A Better Defence EstateI can provide that assurance. My hon. Friend underlines the importance of a strong bond between the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and local authorities dealing with what can…28 Feb 2019HANSARD A Better Defence EstateI will be more than happy to meet my hon. Friend. I should stress that the future use of any land is not for the MOD to determine. That is first handed to the local authorities,…28 Feb 2019HANSARDEx-service Personnel: EmploymentI pay tribute to the charity my hon. Friend mentions. There are over 400 service-facing charities out there providing support for ex-service personnel. It is important that those…18 Feb 2019HANSARDEx-service Personnel: EmploymentSome 15,000 armed forces personnel leave the Army, Air Force and Navy every single year. We have invested significantly in resettlement provision, and the two key organisations…18 Feb 2019