1 Ben Lake debates involving the Ministry of Defence

UK Armed Forces: Wales’s Contribution

Ben Lake Excerpts
Tuesday 25th February 2020

(4 years, 9 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Nick Smith Portrait Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)
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May I press the Minister to revisit the estate strategy? Please will he ask his Department to produce a paper specifically looking at whether one of our Welsh regiments could be based in Brecon? This afternoon, we have heard cross-party support for that idea. It would be great if the Ministry of Defence and the Minister on his first outing—he is doing brilliantly—supported that consensus.

Ben Lake Portrait Ben Lake (Ceredigion) (PC)
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Will the Minister allow another intervention?

Jeremy Quin Portrait Jeremy Quin
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I will allow the hon. Gentleman.

Ben Lake Portrait Ben Lake
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At the risk of labouring the point, as the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Nick Smith) mentioned, there is cross-party unanimity on that. The Minister would therefore not only ensure that a Welsh regiment was based in Wales, but succeed in getting the support of all parties represented Wales. He would also achieve the rare feat for a Minister of fulfilling a recommendation of a Welsh Affairs Committee report on the issue.