---

Armed Forces Personnel

I should like to take the opportunity to commend our armed forces for the invaluable service that they have given our country. Britain has the best armed forces in the world and their courage and dedication are respected the world over. The men and women of our armed forces have a tough job—perhaps the toughest job there is—and we as a nation depend on them in times of crisis both at home and abroad. That is recognised by the Labour Government, who since 1997 have invested and built up our armed forces. Unlike the previous Government, who slashed the defence budget by £0.5 billion a year during their last term of office, this Government have raised the defence budget by £1 billion a year to meet the needs of our troops and fulfil our international obligations.