We want the NPT talks in 2010 to be a great success, and we will put a huge amount of effort into making sure that they are a success.

We want the NPT talks in 2010 to be a great success, and we will put a huge amount of effort into making sure that they are a success.

This is how things have happened in the past: we have made the main decision at main gate—we have not made all the decisions well in advance of when it was necessary. I am a multilateralist, but I want to get rid of weapons, and I want to ensure that...

This is how things have happened in the past: we have made the main decision at main gate—we have not made all the decisions well in advance of when it was necessary. I am a multilateralist, but I want to get rid of weapons, and I want to ensure that...

In every defence debate we rightly pay tribute to the armed forces and the service that they give to the nation, and it is even more important for us to do that in the context of defence procurement. In my view, however, the best tribute that the House could pay...

In every defence debate we rightly pay tribute to the armed forces and the service that they give to the nation, and it is even more important for us to do that in the context of defence procurement. In my view, however, the best tribute that the House could pay...

That is doubtful. We have made no bones about the fact that we are in favour of renewing Trident after those talks if we are unsuccessful in them. We have made that absolutely clear. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman is being a wee bit mischievous. I will send...

That is doubtful. We have made no bones about the fact that we are in favour of renewing Trident after those talks if we are unsuccessful in them. We have made that absolutely clear. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman is being a wee bit mischievous. I will send...

I think that sending out a message on whether we are going for three or four is important because if we give the impression that, as well as the reduction in warheads, we will go down to three submarines, that would be significant—and what message does it send to the...

I think that sending out a message on whether we are going for three or four is important because if we give the impression that, as well as the reduction in warheads, we will go down to three submarines, that would be significant—and what message does it send to the...

I agree with that, and the hon. Gentleman should have listened more carefully to my comments as I referred to "all the decisions". Some of the decisions—the essential ones—could have been made at an earlier stage, but why make all the decisions then, because that sends a message out to...

I agree with that, and the hon. Gentleman should have listened more carefully to my comments as I referred to "all the decisions". Some of the decisions—the essential ones—could have been made at an earlier stage, but why make all the decisions then, because that sends a message out to...

Nothing wakes Tories from their sleep more effectively than the word "Europe"; they start foaming at the mouth at every opportunity when we mention it. It is absolutely clear that we need to get more from our European allies, but the hon. Gentleman should accept that although we have not...

Nothing wakes Tories from their sleep more effectively than the word "Europe"; they start foaming at the mouth at every opportunity when we mention it. It is absolutely clear that we need to get more from our European allies, but the hon. Gentleman should accept that although we have not...

We want our armed forces to have the best kit and the capability to have an influence in the world. If that means deeper co-operation, then so be it. Others seem to have their heads in their hands—including, perhaps, the hon. Gentleman who wants to intervene—but it is essential that...

We want our armed forces to have the best kit and the capability to have an influence in the world. If that means deeper co-operation, then so be it. Others seem to have their heads in their hands—including, perhaps, the hon. Gentleman who wants to intervene—but it is essential that...

They are grounded, well beyond time. They should have been grounded a long time ago. The Minister knew that they were unsafe, but took no action to resolve the problem. We have heard much about FRES, the future rapid effect system. We have spent an absolute fortune on it—some £132...

They are grounded, well beyond time. They should have been grounded a long time ago. The Minister knew that they were unsafe, but took no action to resolve the problem. We have heard much about FRES, the future rapid effect system. We have spent an absolute fortune on it—some £132...

There is no doubt that there have been significant problems with European defence procurement, but that does not mean that we should abandon the principle.

There is no doubt that there have been significant problems with European defence procurement, but that does not mean that we should abandon the principle.

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I shall now move on. The MARS or military afloat reach and sustainability project has been punted to the right, and the super-aircraft carriers—finally commissioned in Rosyth in my constituency, and a great, iconic project for the Forth—face a further two-year delay. Rather than securing...

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I shall now move on. The MARS or military afloat reach and sustainability project has been punted to the right, and the super-aircraft carriers—finally commissioned in Rosyth in my constituency, and a great, iconic project for the Forth—face a further two-year delay. Rather than securing...

There are examples that have worked well. What we need to address is the fundamental issue of working with our European partners so that we can obtain the benefit. Lord Garden—who, sadly, has passed away—said it""is a matter of arithmetic not politics"," and those who completely dismiss European defence co-operation...

There are examples that have worked well. What we need to address is the fundamental issue of working with our European partners so that we can obtain the benefit. Lord Garden—who, sadly, has passed away—said it""is a matter of arithmetic not politics"," and those who completely dismiss European defence co-operation...

Nothing arouses passions more than SNP Members raising the subject of the Clyde during a debate, because their record is not particularly glowing. In this instance, however, we have lost thousands of jobs. [Interruption.]

Nothing arouses passions more than SNP Members raising the subject of the Clyde during a debate, because their record is not particularly glowing. In this instance, however, we have lost thousands of jobs. [Interruption.]

There was clearly a danger. If the hon. Lady had paid attention during the debate, she would have discovered that the Nimrod was extremely dangerous. Fuel was flooding out of the side of the plane and lying on the hot pipes, which blew up the plane. It was a clear...

There was clearly a danger. If the hon. Lady had paid attention during the debate, she would have discovered that the Nimrod was extremely dangerous. Fuel was flooding out of the side of the plane and lying on the hot pipes, which blew up the plane. It was a clear...

I am well aware of those arguments, but I would have thought that if this were such an important project, the Minister would have gone into great detail about the progress made.

I am well aware of those arguments, but I would have thought that if this were such an important project, the Minister would have gone into great detail about the progress made.

I am sorry, but I will not take any more interventions. I understand that the UK may not have the capabilities to meet all our defence needs, but the defence industrial strategy adopts a tone of pessimism and defeatism. Sourcing on an international basis is healthy and will help to...

I am sorry, but I will not take any more interventions. I understand that the UK may not have the capabilities to meet all our defence needs, but the defence industrial strategy adopts a tone of pessimism and defeatism. Sourcing on an international basis is healthy and will help to...

The hon. Member for Reigate (Mr. Blunt) deserves a return of the compliment, but I must correct him on one matter. I am represent Dunfermline, west, not Dunfermline, east, but I can assure him and hon. Members on the Labour Benches that Dunfermline, east is on our target list. We...

The hon. Member for Reigate (Mr. Blunt) deserves a return of the compliment, but I must correct him on one matter. I am represent Dunfermline, west, not Dunfermline, east, but I can assure him and hon. Members on the Labour Benches that Dunfermline, east is on our target list. We...

That surprises me, because this will be one of the biggest defence projects for a number of years and there was no mention of it in the Minister's speech. We suspected that the decision was taken more for political reasons: the former Prime Minister wishing to get the decision out...

That surprises me, because this will be one of the biggest defence projects for a number of years and there was no mention of it in the Minister's speech. We suspected that the decision was taken more for political reasons: the former Prime Minister wishing to get the decision out...

The hon. Gentleman will be relieved to hear that we are in not government, but we are not in possession of all the figures, as has been said many times today. [Interruption.] Members may groan, but the Ministry of Defence figures are opaque so it is very difficult to tell...

The hon. Gentleman will be relieved to hear that we are in not government, but we are not in possession of all the figures, as has been said many times today. [Interruption.] Members may groan, but the Ministry of Defence figures are opaque so it is very difficult to tell...