Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Dodds of Duncairn Excerpts
Tuesday 27th March 2018

(6 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Boris Johnson Portrait Boris Johnson
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I do; I thank my hon. Friend for that excellent point. NATO was one of the very first off the blocks with a powerful statement, which a lot of people then echoed.

Lord Dodds of Duncairn Portrait Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP)
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I too congratulate the Government on bringing together a strong, impressive and co-ordinated international response to the Russian threat, but does it not point out the need for the Government to plug the gaps in the defence budget that have been identified? We really need to match our words with our actions.

Boris Johnson Portrait Boris Johnson
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The right hon. Gentleman makes an important point, which was raised many times in last night’s debate. As he knows, the Government are one of the biggest defence spenders in the whole European area, and the second biggest player in NATO. We remain committed to spending more than 2% of our GDP on defence.