---

Defence in the World

In trying to respond to the points raised by Opposition Members, my hon. Friend is putting herself into the position of our generals and senior MOD officials. One of the most moving parts of General Mike Jackson's memoir tells of an IED blowing up paratroopers in Northern Ireland in the 1970s. This is not new. The real question—which I am prepared to ask, as I am not part of the defence establishment—is: why have all our generals, air marshals and admirals not taken the responsibility themselves to allocate the budget in a way that best serves their troops? Why is all this the fault of my hon. Friend, or of the Minister for the Armed Forces, my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Bill Rammell)? Indeed, why is it the fault of Opposition Members?