Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Ramsbotham (Crossbench). It was answered on Monday, 22 March 2010.

---

Defence: Nimrod Crash

Question

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that extremely disappointing reply and of course add my condolences in relation to the three people killed in Afghanistan whom he mentioned. The military covenant is the tangible expression of the nation’s loyalty to its Armed Forces in return for their loyalty to the nation. In his report on the tragic loss of Nimrod XV230, Mr Haddon-Cave QC publicly condemned two distinguished senior officers, General Sir Sam Cowan and Air Chief Marshal Sir Malcolm Pledger, for imposing the defence cuts that were held partly to blame. Ministers, not senior officers, impose defence cuts, so can the Minister tell the House when the Government will heal this clear breach of the military covenant and demonstrate their loyalty to these now-retired officers by publicly refuting their unwarranted traduction for implementing ministerial direction?

Answer

My Lords, I have nothing to add on the case of the two individuals. The Minister of Defence accepted his responsibility. He also acceptedthe direct recommendations of the report and the wider criticism, and we are acting to implement that report. As I said, we have nothing to add on the case of the individuals.

---

Secondary information

Type

Oral question

Reference

718 c750-1 

Session

2009-10

Oral question type

1st Supplementary

Chamber / Committee

House of Lords chamber

Subjects

Defence Accidents Expenditure Peacekeeping operations Afghanistan Defence Logistics Organisation Nimrod aircraft Nimrod Review Pledger, Malcolm Cowan, Sam

Link

View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk