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Defence in the United Kingdom

Not only do I take that seriously but I met the Chiefs of the Defence Staff a considerable time ago to discuss this precise issue. I did not announce that publicly until today, because I did not intend to make capital out of it. I hope, however, that that reassures the right hon. and learned Gentleman that I take that issue and the support of our troops seriously. Whoever made the original remark, I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman to dissociate himself from implications that there are criticisms to be levelled, particularly about a lack of moral courage or otherwise, at the Chiefs of the Defence Staff. They do a very difficult job, and they are very brave people, both morally and physically. They have shown that in the past, and they are as concerned as I am to support morale. In a democracy with a separation between the legal process and political decisions, they cannot intervene. The right hon. and learned Gentleman knows that they are prevented from so doing, so to try to criticise them for not intervening is unfair. That is all that I am asking. He can attack me as much as he likes, but I urge him to withdraw from attacks on the chiefs of staff.