Modernising Defence Programme Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Modernising Defence Programme

Carol Monaghan Excerpts
Tuesday 18th December 2018

(6 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Gavin Williamson Portrait Gavin Williamson
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I could possibly be tempted.

Carol Monaghan Portrait Carol Monaghan (Glasgow North West) (SNP)
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The Secretary of State spoke of no cuts in capability. Can he explain how a declining number of service personnel is not a cut in capability?

Gavin Williamson Portrait Gavin Williamson
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As I have said, we have already taken a number of actions to drive up recruitment in our armed forces while also increasing retention. Service personnel have gone out into the streets to be part of a recruitment process that had not taken place for the last few years since the decision was taken to withdraw them. An increasing number of people are applying for all three services; what we need to do is convert that into those who are joining them.