I thank the Secretary of State for his recent visit to 16th Air Assault Brigade in Helmand province and for his generous words there and on his return. The Secretary of State will know that I put a question to the Prime Minister only a few weeks ago about whether...

I thank the Secretary of State for his recent visit to 16th Air Assault Brigade in Helmand province and for his generous words there and on his return. The Secretary of State will know that I put a question to the Prime Minister only a few weeks ago about whether...

That is a good question. I do not know the answer, but it is the sort of detail that we should discuss in Committee. I am talking about a huge reduction in security for the Army families, which is not good. Fortunately, we are living in more peaceful times in...

That is a good question. I do not know the answer, but it is the sort of detail that we should discuss in Committee. I am talking about a huge reduction in security for the Army families, which is not good. Fortunately, we are living in more peaceful times in...

With the hon. Gentleman's legal experience, is he really asking that one question be added when somebody is charged and the charge form is filled out?

With the hon. Gentleman's legal experience, is he really asking that one question be added when somebody is charged and the charge form is filled out?

As the Royal British Legion has driven the updating of the military covenant, perhaps its representatives should be involved in the Secretary of State's annual report to make sure that they are satisfied. Incidentally, Mr Deputy Speaker, I apologise. I said that you had signed the early-day motion that I...

As the Royal British Legion has driven the updating of the military covenant, perhaps its representatives should be involved in the Secretary of State's annual report to make sure that they are satisfied. Incidentally, Mr Deputy Speaker, I apologise. I said that you had signed the early-day motion that I...

No, that is incorrect. A Ministry of Defence police officer has marginally more powers than an ordinary police officer because he is a police officer plus. He has the military addition. We must not get confused with the red caps. In Colchester we now have a combined police station, with...

No, that is incorrect. A Ministry of Defence police officer has marginally more powers than an ordinary police officer because he is a police officer plus. He has the military addition. We must not get confused with the red caps. In Colchester we now have a combined police station, with...

My hon. Friend makes an extremely important point. Frequently, without the understanding and support of the employer as regards training and deployment, that could not happen. He is right to draw my attention and that of the House to that point, and I am more than happy to put on...

My hon. Friend makes an extremely important point. Frequently, without the understanding and support of the employer as regards training and deployment, that could not happen. He is right to draw my attention and that of the House to that point, and I am more than happy to put on...

Putting aside the hon. Gentleman's closing sentence, I am aware of the counter-argument, but there is a strong argument the other way, too. We respect all who serve in Her Majesty's armed forces; that is what the veterans badge is about, but it is not quite the same. I do...

Putting aside the hon. Gentleman's closing sentence, I am aware of the counter-argument, but there is a strong argument the other way, too. We respect all who serve in Her Majesty's armed forces; that is what the veterans badge is about, but it is not quite the same. I do...

At the outset, let me place on record my admiration for and appreciation of soldiers from the 16 Air Assault Brigade, approximately 3,000 of whom from the Colchester garrison are currently deployed in southern Afghanistan. I thank the Secretary of State and the shadow Secretary of State for their opening...

At the outset, let me place on record my admiration for and appreciation of soldiers from the 16 Air Assault Brigade, approximately 3,000 of whom from the Colchester garrison are currently deployed in southern Afghanistan. I thank the Secretary of State and the shadow Secretary of State for their opening...

The shadow Secretary of State heard me put my question to the Secretary of State. Was the shadow Secretary of State aware that war widows paid income tax on their war widows' pension?

The shadow Secretary of State heard me put my question to the Secretary of State. Was the shadow Secretary of State aware that war widows paid income tax on their war widows' pension?

The House of Commons Library has produced an excellent research paper briefing, and I suggest that Ministers should take into account what it says. It observes that the Bill does not explicitly state what welfare provisions must be provided for under the military covenant, such as priority health care, or...

The House of Commons Library has produced an excellent research paper briefing, and I suggest that Ministers should take into account what it says. It observes that the Bill does not explicitly state what welfare provisions must be provided for under the military covenant, such as priority health care, or...

I wonder whether I might help the hon. Gentleman by being devil's advocate and pointing out that it was the previous Conservative Government who privatised the Ministry of Defence housing through Annington Homes. That is the root cause and this Government need to do more to put right what the...

I wonder whether I might help the hon. Gentleman by being devil's advocate and pointing out that it was the previous Conservative Government who privatised the Ministry of Defence housing through Annington Homes. That is the root cause and this Government need to do more to put right what the...

When the Armed Forces Bill Committee considered this point three or four years ago, we were advised—if my memory is correct—that the equivalent of two infantry battalions are discharged each year for testing positive. Under those circumstances, does the hon. Gentleman accept that the checking is an important requirement?

When the Armed Forces Bill Committee considered this point three or four years ago, we were advised—if my memory is correct—that the equivalent of two infantry battalions are discharged each year for testing positive. Under those circumstances, does the hon. Gentleman accept that the checking is an important requirement?

May I help my hon. Friend by pointing out that the Royal British Legion, which, of course, encompasses all the armed forces, refers to this concept as the military covenant, so it is on his side?

May I help my hon. Friend by pointing out that the Royal British Legion, which, of course, encompasses all the armed forces, refers to this concept as the military covenant, so it is on his side?

I acknowledge that the previous Government did a tremendous amount for the armed forces, but does the right hon. Gentleman accept that even after 13 years of Labour Government there is still a long way to go to bring much of the married housing accommodation for our brave soldiers—and presumably...

I acknowledge that the previous Government did a tremendous amount for the armed forces, but does the right hon. Gentleman accept that even after 13 years of Labour Government there is still a long way to go to bring much of the married housing accommodation for our brave soldiers—and presumably...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of his staff in each of the past two years have been granted a day's paid leave to work as a volunteer; and if he will make a statement. - Will write and place copy in Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of his staff in each of the past two years have been granted a day's paid leave to work as a volunteer; and if he will make a statement. - Will write and place copy in Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many members of his staff in each of the past two years have been granted a day's paid leave to work as a volunteer; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many members of his staff in each of the past two years have been granted a day's paid leave to work as a volunteer; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many members of his staff in each of the past two years have been granted a day's paid leave to work as a volunteer; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many members of his staff in each of the past two years have been granted a day's paid leave to work as a volunteer; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many members of his staff in each of the past two years have been granted a day's paid leave to work as a volunteer; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many members of his staff in each of the past two years have been granted a day's paid leave to work as a volunteer; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many members of his staff in each of the past two years have been granted a day's paid leave to work as a volunteer; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many members of his staff in each of the past two years have been granted a day's paid leave to work as a volunteer; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many members of his staff in each of the past two years have been granted a day's paid leave to work as a volunteer; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many members of his staff in each of the past two years have been granted a day's paid leave to work as a volunteer; and if he will make a statement.