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Defence in the UK

I agree. General Cottam himself was extremely grateful for the sounding board of the all-party group; he could properly capture where people were on some of the issues and make sure that he had that information tucked away as he did his work. He has expressed his gratitude personally, but I am happy to repeat it in the House. This country must leave no stone unturned to ensure that the remarkable people of our armed forces and their families, and veterans, are appropriately recognised and supported. That work can and must never be finished; it must be a work in progress to which we are all committed. To do otherwise would break the crucial relationship. The public's generous recognition of the armed forces in the past year, including fundraising and welcoming people home from operations, proves that fulfilling that relationship is squarely in society's consciousness. I applaud the efforts made by all of our citizens, and in particular by the people of Wootton Bassett, whom I visited earlier this month. I thanked them for the way in which they ensure that our fallen are properly received back in their country.