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Armed Forces Bill

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. Time is marching on. I suspect that we will not be able to debate one of the new clauses relating to the creation of an armed forces federation. To reinforce my earlier point, let me quote from The Sunday Times yesterday, which reported on the setting up of the British armed forces federation. It quoted Professor Richard Holmes, who is universally admired by all of us who have an interest in defence, as saying:"““Politicians control what senior officers say more than they did in the past””." He continued:"““They simply can’t say what the problems might be. Someone has to do that.””" That is his support for the armed forces federation, which I happen to be against, so I am afraid that I am on the wrong side of him on that matter. However, the report goes on to say:"““Many service members believe comrades accused of war crimes in Iraq, who were later found not guilty, were ‘hung out to dry’ by the government.””" That is the perception out there. I certainly do not accuse the Minister of State, whom I know extremely well, but whose constituency I cannot remember—