To ask His Majesty's Government whether armed forces recruitment targets are being met.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether armed forces recruitment targets are being met.

To ask His Majesty's Government what policy incentives they have to attract new recruits to the Combined Cadet Force.

To ask His Majesty's Government what policy incentives they have to attract new recruits to the Combined Cadet Force.

Of course that is a concern, and of course what the veterans commissioner has said is important. We are trying to reassure. We are meeting veterans and various associations. We do not shy away from doing that, and we will continue to do so, to try to ensure that the...

Of course that is a concern, and of course what the veterans commissioner has said is important. We are trying to reassure. We are meeting veterans and various associations. We do not shy away from doing that, and we will continue to do so, to try to ensure that the...

Lords statement on the impact of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on armed forces recruitment and retention.

Lords statement on the impact of the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on armed forces recruitment and retention.

I thank the noble Baroness for her questions. I say right from the outset that the Government do not see any moral equivalence between our Armed Forces and terrorists. Let me be absolutely, fundamentally clear on that in answer to the noble Baroness’s question. It is important to put that...

I thank the noble Baroness for her questions. I say right from the outset that the Government do not see any moral equivalence between our Armed Forces and terrorists. Let me be absolutely, fundamentally clear on that in answer to the noble Baroness’s question. It is important to put that...

The noble Baroness, as always, has asked a very important question. A number of people will listen to her question. There are a number of people in this Chamber who know Northern Ireland far better than I do—it is good to see my noble friend Lady Anderson here. The Government...

The noble Baroness, as always, has asked a very important question. A number of people will listen to her question. There are a number of people in this Chamber who know Northern Ireland far better than I do—it is good to see my noble friend Lady Anderson here. The Government...

I thank my noble friend, with his experience and knowledge, for that. We are trying to replace something that was unworkable and judged by the courts to be illegal. It is not an easy process; we are trying to go forward in a way which adheres to the principle that...

I thank my noble friend, with his experience and knowledge, for that. We are trying to replace something that was unworkable and judged by the courts to be illegal. It is not an easy process; we are trying to go forward in a way which adheres to the principle that...

The noble Lord makes a reasonable point, but the protections we have in the Bill are an important starting point. Of course, we will talk to the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner, the veterans’ associations and everyone—indeed, those discussions are taking place. No doubt amendments will be tabled in the other...

The noble Lord makes a reasonable point, but the protections we have in the Bill are an important starting point. Of course, we will talk to the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner, the veterans’ associations and everyone—indeed, those discussions are taking place. No doubt amendments will be tabled in the other...

I think people want answers, and investigation into many of the things that have taken place. I do not think an amnesty is the right way forward to achieve that.

I think people want answers, and investigation into many of the things that have taken place. I do not think an amnesty is the right way forward to achieve that.

Obviously, I agree with the points the noble Baroness has made.

Obviously, I agree with the points the noble Baroness has made.

Of course, the application of human rights legislation is important. The one thing I would say is that the ECHR cannot be applied retrospectively.

Of course, the application of human rights legislation is important. The one thing I would say is that the ECHR cannot be applied retrospectively.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I have today laid before parliament the 14th Armed Forces Annual Covenant Report, delivering the statutory duty of the Secretary of State for Defence under the Armed Forces Act 2006.

Since...

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I have today laid before parliament the 14th Armed Forces Annual Covenant Report, delivering the statutory duty of the Secretary of State for Defence under the Armed Forces Act 2006.

Since...

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I have today laid before parliament the 14th Armed Forces Annual Covenant Report, delivering the statutory duty of the Secretary of State for Defence under the Armed Forces Act 2006.

Since 2011, the...

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I have today laid before parliament the 14th Armed Forces Annual Covenant Report, delivering the statutory duty of the Secretary of State for Defence under the Armed Forces Act 2006.

Since 2011, the...

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Al Carns) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

Further to my Hon. Friend’s statement of 8 September (HCWS913), I am providing a further update on the measures we continue to take to enhance and improve security across the Defence Estate.

...

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Al Carns) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

Further to my Hon. Friend’s statement of 8 September (HCWS913), I am providing a further update on the measures we continue to take to enhance and improve security across the Defence Estate.

...

Lords statement on the defence industrial strategy.

Lords statement on the defence industrial strategy.

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Fox, for his constructive comments about the strategy and the important questions he asked. I know it is from a position of support for our overall direction. I say the same to the noble Baroness, Lady Goldie; I know that her questions...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Fox, for his constructive comments about the strategy and the important questions he asked. I know it is from a position of support for our overall direction. I say the same to the noble Baroness, Lady Goldie; I know that her questions...

I will take that last point about procurement to my honourable friend Luke Pollard MP, who is the Minister in the other place. On defence

spending, the debate continues on how much it should increase, but I am glad to see that the trajectory across Europe is towards increased spending....

I will take that last point about procurement to my honourable friend Luke Pollard MP, who is the Minister in the other place. On defence

spending, the debate continues on how much it should increase, but I am glad to see that the trajectory across Europe is towards increased spending....

I absolutely take my noble friend’s point on the need for pace. Even though I listed some committees, they will be the result of an amalgamation of certain bodies, so I hope that will be of some reassurance.

I thank my noble friend for his comments on the need for defence...

I absolutely take my noble friend’s point on the need for pace. Even though I listed some committees, they will be the result of an amalgamation of certain bodies, so I hope that will be of some reassurance.

I thank my noble friend for his comments on the need for defence...

I thank the noble Baroness for her comment about the Type 26 success that our country had and the frigates that will be built on the Clyde. It is a massive success for our industry. I also thank her for her continued efforts with respect to small businesses, not only...

I thank the noble Baroness for her comment about the Type 26 success that our country had and the frigates that will be built on the Clyde. It is a massive success for our industry. I also thank her for her continued efforts with respect to small businesses, not only...

I know that the noble Lord has an opinion that not many people agree with, including me, but I appreciate that he puts it forward time and again in a respectful, calm and intellectual way. He is to be congratulated on that.

My argument to him would be this. There is...

I know that the noble Lord has an opinion that not many people agree with, including me, but I appreciate that he puts it forward time and again in a respectful, calm and intellectual way. He is to be congratulated on that.

My argument to him would be this. There is...