Debate on a motion for the adjournment on armed forces personnel.

Debate on a motion for the adjournment on armed forces personnel.

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I have previously said in the House that we and the chiefs of staff are considering the development of a military ward as part of the new building at Selly Oak in Birmingham, but can we be clear about the Conservative view? Is the hon....

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I have previously said in the House that we and the chiefs of staff are considering the development of a military ward as part of the new building at Selly Oak in Birmingham, but can we be clear about the Conservative view? Is the hon....

Let us be clear. The chiefs of staff have not yet made a decision about the military ward; it is something that Ministers are happy to consider, but we are waiting for their decision. Is the hon. Gentleman saying that in no circumstances whatever will civilians be allowed into such...

Let us be clear. The chiefs of staff have not yet made a decision about the military ward; it is something that Ministers are happy to consider, but we are waiting for their decision. Is the hon. Gentleman saying that in no circumstances whatever will civilians be allowed into such...

indicated dissent.

indicated dissent.

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments. Given today’s announcement and my previous statements, there is no excuse for local councils to be in any doubt about our intentions. I am sure that he will agree that Members of Parliament can play a vital role by taking matters up...

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments. Given today’s announcement and my previous statements, there is no excuse for local councils to be in any doubt about our intentions. I am sure that he will agree that Members of Parliament can play a vital role by taking matters up...

I welcome today’s wide-ranging debate. I was struck by the number of comments on the job done by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State. As someone who is fairly new to the Department, I have found his experience and help invaluable, and I can see why he is...

I welcome today’s wide-ranging debate. I was struck by the number of comments on the job done by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State. As someone who is fairly new to the Department, I have found his experience and help invaluable, and I can see why he is...

I understand that the hon. Gentleman’s operational bonus has now been paid. He made an interesting point in a previous debate, and it was taken in the right spirit. Clearly, we want to make sure that our people get their operational bonus. I am not aware of any further problems,...

I understand that the hon. Gentleman’s operational bonus has now been paid. He made an interesting point in a previous debate, and it was taken in the right spirit. Clearly, we want to make sure that our people get their operational bonus. I am not aware of any further problems,...

I take my hon. Friend’s point entirely. I cannot offer him any change to that situation in the near future, but part of the reason for mentioning the cadets today was to highlight the tremendous job that they do, and I take on board his concerns. Further to the youth...

I take my hon. Friend’s point entirely. I cannot offer him any change to that situation in the near future, but part of the reason for mentioning the cadets today was to highlight the tremendous job that they do, and I take on board his concerns. Further to the youth...

If the hon. Gentleman will forgive me, I want to make progress. We have considered Selly Oak several times. It is clear to everyone who has been to that hospital, including Opposition Members and other colleagues, that it provides tremendous treatment. There have been massive improvements in welfare support, through...

If the hon. Gentleman will forgive me, I want to make progress. We have considered Selly Oak several times. It is clear to everyone who has been to that hospital, including Opposition Members and other colleagues, that it provides tremendous treatment. There have been massive improvements in welfare support, through...

I understand the hon. Gentleman’s point and I will examine the matter. Of course, we call on our coalition partners for support, if needed. I assure him that I shall consider whether more can be done to improve matters. I apologise to the hon. Member for North-East Milton Keynes (Mr....

I understand the hon. Gentleman’s point and I will examine the matter. Of course, we call on our coalition partners for support, if needed. I assure him that I shall consider whether more can be done to improve matters. I apologise to the hon. Member for North-East Milton Keynes (Mr....

I assure the hon. Gentleman that, if he needs such a document, he will get it. There is no reason not to give it to him.

I assure the hon. Gentleman that, if he needs such a document, he will get it. There is no reason not to give it to him.

The hon. Gentleman makes an important and valid point. Tracking someone who may have mental health problems subsequently is obviously a different issue from tracking someone who presents with a general or a mental health problem or who has received injuries in battle during his period of service. As the...

The hon. Gentleman makes an important and valid point. Tracking someone who may have mental health problems subsequently is obviously a different issue from tracking someone who presents with a general or a mental health problem or who has received injuries in battle during his period of service. As the...

Debate on a motion for the adjournment on defence in the UK.

Debate on a motion for the adjournment on defence in the UK.

This has been a wide-ranging and considered debate, with a surprising amount of consensus on some issues. Hon. Members recognised that we are doing a tremendous amount for our armed forces, but of course there is an argument about how much more we can do. We heard some interesting speeches...

This has been a wide-ranging and considered debate, with a surprising amount of consensus on some issues. Hon. Members recognised that we are doing a tremendous amount for our armed forces, but of course there is an argument about how much more we can do. We heard some interesting speeches...

I was just about to mention my hon. Friend. She made a strong case for Plymouth, as she has done for several months, and her comments have been noted and taken on board. She also raised issues about the defence estate and medical services. My hon. Friend mentioned DML and...

I was just about to mention my hon. Friend. She made a strong case for Plymouth, as she has done for several months, and her comments have been noted and taken on board. She also raised issues about the defence estate and medical services. My hon. Friend mentioned DML and...

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on recruitment and retention in the armed forces.

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on recruitment and retention in the armed forces.

I give the hon. Gentleman an assurance that I shall personally look into the matter. The NAO’s report acknowledged that we needed to focus on encouraging people to stay longer in some particularly important areas. That point was raised by Conservative Members. We are focusing on the infantry, the Royal...

I give the hon. Gentleman an assurance that I shall personally look into the matter. The NAO’s report acknowledged that we needed to focus on encouraging people to stay longer in some particularly important areas. That point was raised by Conservative Members. We are focusing on the infantry, the Royal...

I can give that confirmation, unless the hon. Gentleman knows of someone who has not been paid it.

I can give that confirmation, unless the hon. Gentleman knows of someone who has not been paid it.

I congratulate the hon. Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire (Mr. Crabb) on securing this important debate, which has given us a good opportunity to go through several issues of recruitment and retention. Unfortunately, because of the time, I shall not be able to deal with all of the issues that have...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire (Mr. Crabb) on securing this important debate, which has given us a good opportunity to go through several issues of recruitment and retention. Unfortunately, because of the time, I shall not be able to deal with all of the issues that have...

You have not been paid it. I shall personally look into the case. I went to Iraq and Afghanistan recently, visiting various bases and barracks, and found from my discussions that this had been paid. I cannot understand why the hon. Gentleman’s allowance has not been paid.

You have not been paid it. I shall personally look into the case. I went to Iraq and Afghanistan recently, visiting various bases and barracks, and found from my discussions that this had been paid. I cannot understand why the hon. Gentleman’s allowance has not been paid.