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Defence

We have made our commitment to the carriers abundantly clear, most particularly through the signing and the starting of the contracts last week. Let me answer the serious question that the right hon. Member for North-East Hampshire (Mr. Arbuthnot) asked—he knows that I am committed to meeting him and his constituents—about whether we could be sure that both pilots involved in the Chinook crashes agreed on the route and the course of action taken. It is clear that those pilots took over the route that was programmed and planned, and took responsibility. Once they were in flight, the critical factor in determining whether they continued to be of that view was the action of making the waypoint change on the navigation system. That demonstrates that they were fully in control of the aircraft at that point. The issue is serious, and I understand his concerns. I look forward to discussing it with him and his constituents at that meeting in the near future. We have had a good debate. As I said, there is more that unites us on defence than divides us. We are doing the right thing, and this Government have a strong record on defence. We have made unparalleled investment, and we should take that forward and support our armed forces. Question put (Standing Order No. 31(2)), That the original words stand part of the Question. The House divided: Ayes 208, Noes 277.