Proceeding contribution from Lord Lee of Trafford (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Lords on Tuesday, 19 October 2010. It occurred during Ministerial statement on Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Strategic Defence and Security Review
My Lords, first, I should like to ask my noble friend whether we can have a major debate on this review in this House. Clearly, 20 minutes following a Statement on a matter of this importance is unsatisfactory. I am sure that the House would welcome a full debate. The coalition Government had a difficult task, given that the carriers had been irresponsibly ordered. Industry quite clearly once again has run rings around the MoD and the previous Government. On these Benches, we welcome the deferment of the main gate decision on Trident, the extra expenditure on our special forces and cybersecurity, the focus on Afghanistan and the pulling back from Germany. I have four questions to ask my noble friend. First, the Prime Minister wants us to remain ““a major military power””. Is not 2 per cent of gross domestic product just too thin to maintain that capability? Secondly, what will the savings be on the phasing out of our Harrier force? Thirdly, is it not time to look more imaginatively at our Reserve Forces? One only has to look at what America does with its National Guard. We should start thinking outside the box, which, surely, would link in with the Prime Minister’s belief in a big society. Finally, sadly, very little in this Statement refers to or discusses co-operation with France. Will my noble friend say a little more about that?
Secondary information
- Type
- Proceeding contribution
- Reference
- 721 c783
- Session
- 2010-12
- Chamber / Committee
- House of Lords chamber
- Subjects
- Armed forces Defence Army Air force National security Nuclear weapons Public expenditure Peacekeeping operations Procurement Staff Navy Military aircraft Ministry of Defence Reserve forces Warships Afghanistan Aircraft carriers Nuclear submarines Harrier aircraft Typhoon aircraft F-35 aircraft Electronic warfare Conflict prevention A400M aircraft Nimrod aircraft Tornado aircraft Type 45 destroyers Astute class submarines Special forces Unmanned air systems Strategic Defence and Security Review
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- View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk
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