Contributions
589 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD RAF Scampton and the Red ArrowsIn conclusion, I simply say that I understand hon. Members’ passion. It is important that MPs come here to support their communities and recognise the value that RAF personnel and…05 Feb 2019HANSARD RAF Scampton and the Red ArrowsI will not give way again. I literally have two and a half minutes left, and I am on page 2 of my speech. I might as well give up. As my right hon. Friend the Member for…05 Feb 2019HANSARD RAF Scampton and the Red ArrowsI will not answer those questions here because, with respect, this is the debate of my right hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough. I will write to my hon. Friend the Member for…05 Feb 2019HANSARD RAF Scampton and the Red ArrowsMy hon. Friend is eating into my time. Will she expedite her question?05 Feb 2019HANSARD RAF Scampton and the Red ArrowsI will finish this point, if I may. Secondly, where do the Red Arrows train? They spend some of their time training, and some of their time doing display work. The training area…05 Feb 2019HANSARD RAF Scampton and the Red ArrowsNo. We are jumping into discussing one of the assets that is based at RAF Scampton. Given the time, I might as well throw away my speech and just go for it, because I will not be…05 Feb 2019HANSARD RAF Scampton and the Red ArrowsI am tempted to say so many things. My hon. Friend, for whom I have huge respect, knows that we were on different sides of the argument. To be clear, where we are is not where I…05 Feb 2019HANSARDWar Pensions Scheme: UpratingThe new rates of war pensions and allowances proposed from April 2019 are set out in the following tables. The annual uprating of war pensions and allowances for 2019 will take…24 Jan 2019HANSARDArmed Forces: MoraleAs I mentioned in my opening remarks, that is a concern, and we must address it. Pay has never been an issue in the armed forces. When I joined up, it was not an issue. People do…14 Jan 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am pleased to say that the majority of people make the transition into civilian life without a problem, but there are those who require our support, and we have provided a new…14 Jan 2019HANSARDArmed Forces: MoraleThe hon. Lady is right to raise concerns about morale in our armed forces. The continuous attitude survey is critical for us to understand the views of our armed forces personnel.…14 Jan 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI would be delighted.14 Jan 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsFirst, I commend the programme. Before I go down that road, I would encourage more of a voluntary approach; I do not like mandating such things. I would be happy to visit the…14 Jan 2019HANSARDRoyal Marines BasesBefore I answer this question, Mr Speaker, may I join you in welcoming our overseas guests here today? They are strong, important and valued Commonwealth allies. In particular, I…14 Jan 2019HANSARDRoyal Marines BasesI join the hon. Gentleman—I hope the whole House will agree with me—in saying thank you to all those who have served and who are serving in the Royal Marines. He is aware that we…14 Jan 2019HANSARDRoyal Marines BasesI can confirm that Plymouth will remain the centre of gravity for the Royal Marines commandos. As I just said, 3 Commando headquarters will remain there. Confirmation of our…14 Jan 2019HANSARDModernising the Defence EstateIt is interesting that the hon. Gentleman raises our footprint in the north-west of England, which is a very large recruitment area, because the Defence Secretary was talking…14 Jan 2019HANSARDModernising the Defence EstateThe hon. Gentleman will be aware that the better defence estate programme is a 25-year programme to rationalise the defence estate, which is far too large for our present…14 Jan 2019HANSARDModernising the Defence EstateMy hon. Friend makes a powerful case for the Taunton barracks and 40 Commando. She is aware that the decision has been made already, but perhaps we can meet separately to see what…14 Jan 2019HANSARDRoyal Marines: Basing ArrangementsI was not sure whether we would reach this point, given the proceedings earlier today, but I am very pleased that we have. Let me begin, as is customary, by congratulating the…09 Jan 2019