Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Bridgen Excerpts
Monday 19th February 2024

(10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrew Murrison Portrait Dr Murrison
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Those are interesting reflections. I suggest the hon. Gentleman has a word with the shadow Ministers on his Front Bench, particularly the shadow Chancellor who, to date, has failed to commit to the level of spending on the defence of this country to which the Government are completely committed.

Andrew Bridgen Portrait Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Ind)
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The rise of so-called “woke” culture has been infecting our society for many years and it should be unsurprising that it is now infecting our military. Does the Minister think that the rise of “woke” makes it easier or more difficult to recruit the right sort of people into our armed forces?

Andrew Murrison Portrait Dr Murrison
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I completely reject the premise of the hon. Gentleman’s question. If he is talking about increasing the number of women in our armed forces, Lord Etherton’s review into LGBT personnel in our armed forces historically, or our ambition to make our armed forces more reflective of the society from which they are drawn and that they serve, then I am guilty as charged.