Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Murrison Excerpts
Monday 23rd April 2018

(6 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Tobias Ellwood Portrait Mr Ellwood
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The hon. Gentleman’s question gives me licence to clarify the longevity of what is happening at Woolwich. He will be aware that there is a proposal to close the base itself by 2028 and that the Royal Anglians will move, as will the Royal Horse Artillery. There is time between now and then, however, and we need to make sure we look after our armed forces personnel. He will also be aware that we have had problems with the CarillionAmey deal—the previous Defence Secretary called the company in to say that things were not up to par—but we are working to ensure that the contracts are met.

Andrew Murrison Portrait Dr Andrew Murrison (South West Wiltshire) (Con)
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Does my right hon. Friend agree that most young people in the armed forces want not to rent but to buy, and can he say what more can be done to support the Forces Help to Buy scheme, which appears to be quite successful?

Tobias Ellwood Portrait Mr Ellwood
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The Help to Buy scheme is a critical part of the programme we are rolling out. The pilot scheme will begin at the end of the year. The feedback from the armed forces federations is that it will give armed forces personnel and their families the choice they are calling for.