It is a real honour to follow so many hon. and right hon. Members who speak with great experience on defence matters. I listened especially closely to what the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Soames) had to say on Trident. It was echoed, I think in the same way, by...

It is a real honour to follow so many hon. and right hon. Members who speak with great experience on defence matters. I listened especially closely to what the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Soames) had to say on Trident. It was echoed, I think in the same way, by...

They are grounded now.

They are grounded now.

The Minister has been extraordinarily generous in allowing Members to ask questions. While he is on the subject, will he indicate how important he feels offset arrangements still are? Do they still operate in relation to literally hundreds of companies in the UK? They are worth hundreds of millions of...

The Minister has been extraordinarily generous in allowing Members to ask questions. While he is on the subject, will he indicate how important he feels offset arrangements still are? Do they still operate in relation to literally hundreds of companies in the UK? They are worth hundreds of millions of...

Is it not important to place on record that there are 5,000 fewer shipbuilding jobs on the Clyde than in 1997? [Interruption.]

Is it not important to place on record that there are 5,000 fewer shipbuilding jobs on the Clyde than in 1997? [Interruption.]

It is an honour to follow the hon. and gallant Member for Gravesham (Mr. Holloway). I am only sorry that his voice was failing him, because he was making a powerful argument. I look forward to the next opportunity to hear what he has to say in greater detail. I...

It is an honour to follow the hon. and gallant Member for Gravesham (Mr. Holloway). I am only sorry that his voice was failing him, because he was making a powerful argument. I look forward to the next opportunity to hear what he has to say in greater detail. I...

I thank the Secretary of State for allowing an intervention at this important point in his speech, when he is talking about equipment. I am sure that he would attest to the vital role that the Nimrod aircraft play in UK efforts around the world. Will he examine closely the...

I thank the Secretary of State for allowing an intervention at this important point in his speech, when he is talking about equipment. I am sure that he would attest to the vital role that the Nimrod aircraft play in UK efforts around the world. Will he examine closely the...

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Belorussian Government about the Iraqi military delegation visit to Minsk in October 2001; what reports he has received about (a) the aim and (b) the outcome of the visit; and if he...

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Belorussian Government about the Iraqi military delegation visit to Minsk in October 2001; what reports he has received about (a) the aim and (b) the outcome of the visit; and if he...