Contributions
3,157 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDVeterans: RecognitionWe should always look to do more to honour the sacrifices that individuals have made. Armed Forces Day is supposed to be the day that we do that, and I have asked my officials to…08 Jul 2019HANSARDVeterans: RecognitionI would be very happy to look at the cases of those two individuals. It is vital that we have a clear line of sight on what is happening with individual cases. We still need to…08 Jul 2019HANSARDVeterans: RecognitionThe prime organisation that holds everyone to account for delivering the covenant is the Veterans Board, which will meet again very shortly.08 Jul 2019HANSARDVeterans: RecognitionI agree with my hon. Friend and again praise Salisbury for its work in ensuring that service personnel and their families had an amazing few days. As we take the event forward,…08 Jul 2019HANSARDArmed Services: Optimal SizeThe pipeline for our pilots is one of the first things I asked about when I entered the Department. The numbers are improving, but it is an area where we are fragile; it is…08 Jul 2019HANSARDArmed Services: Optimal SizeI thank my hon. Friend for his cunning plan to get recruitment numbers up, although, given the Leader of the Opposition’s stance towards our armed forces, there might not be any…08 Jul 2019HANSARDVE and VJ Days: AnniversaryThe nation will be forever grateful to the greatest generation, who lived and fought through the second world war. The Government will provide opportunities to mark the 75th…08 Jul 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI think that that is what we should be doing. Our armed forces have been exempt from that, so I have said that we must do it. It would mean a pay increase of a couple of thousand…08 Jul 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsThat review has concluded. I have looked at it and the policy will be changing.08 Jul 2019HANSARDVE and VJ Days: AnniversaryI pay tribute to my hon. Friend’s father for his service. Those who have served in our armed forces must be able to take part in those commemorative events. Indeed, they make…08 Jul 2019HANSARDVE and VJ Days: AnniversaryI completely agree with my hon. Friend. The events are tailored in regard to their tone and scale and the number of people attending them, and we might not be able to guarantee…08 Jul 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsDefence engagement, in all its forms, is vital to promoting the UK’s influence, values and intentions around the world, whether it is promoting stability and prosperity, tackling…08 Jul 2019HANSARDArmed Services: Optimal SizeI should declare an interest, as HMS Bulwark was the last ship I served on. I am very glad that she and Albion are still going. We are approaching a spending review, and I think…08 Jul 2019HANSARDArmed Services: Optimal SizeThe hon. Gentleman is right. We can ensure that we are much more operationally effective and that people have a better quality of life while serving in the armed forces by…08 Jul 2019HANSARDVeterans: RecognitionI acknowledge the work that the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood) has done on veterans support, including…08 Jul 2019HANSARDVeterans: RecognitionI agree with the hon. Gentleman completely. We are talking about the armed forces of the United Kingdom. Wherever they are serving, wherever they are based and wherever they are…08 Jul 2019HANSARDVeterans: RecognitionMy right hon. Friend will know my views on this matter. Although we have obligations under the Stormont House agreement and have to approach these things in different ways, our…08 Jul 2019HANSARDVeterans: RecognitionI certainly join the hon. Gentleman in congratulating that organisation and all the organisations across the country that are not just looking after historic monuments to and…08 Jul 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank the hon. Gentleman for giving me the opportunity to do exactly that. We owe those individuals a huge debt of gratitude. I was recently on board HMS Albion with the chiefs…08 Jul 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI would be happy to visit Lossiemouth. This is a critical capability that is returning to us. The manufacture of the second aircraft is on delivery for January 2020.08 Jul 2019