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Proceeding contribution from Bob Ainsworth (Labour) in the House of Commons on Thursday, 26 March 2009. It occurred during Debate on Defence in the UK.


Defence in the UK

I have read the hon. Gentleman's contribution to that debate but, equally, I read what others say. There is a difficulty for Opposition Members, is there not? On the one hand, they are committed to a bigger Army—or are they? Clarification would be most welcome. On the other hand, I think they are committed—or are they?—to no increases in defence spending and, indeed, no promise to maintain the current level of defence spending. That is the Opposition position—not of the hon. Gentleman, who is always careful about these things, but it is certainly the position of his hon. Friend the shadow Chancellor. The gap has to be filled somehow. The question of where the cuts would be made is an intriguing one.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
490 c477 
Session
2008-09
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Armed forces Defence Army Armed conflict Deployment Casualties Air force Defence equipment Finance Iraq National security Nuclear weapons Protective clothing Navy Rehabilitation Terrorism Security Afghanistan
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk