Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Elizabeth Truss Excerpts
Monday 19th December 2011

(13 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Robathan Portrait Mr Robathan
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I pay tribute to those of my grandfather’s generation who did so much in the first world war—what they did is almost beyond our ken. The issue is to do with history, and for that reason the Department for Culture, Media and Sport leads on it. However, as the hon. Gentleman may know, my hon. Friend the Member for South West Wiltshire (Dr Murrison) has been appointed the special representative on the first world war and he will deal with all the commemorations. He will co-ordinate input from the Ministry of Defence, the DCMS and the Imperial War museum for the nation as we approach the centenaries of the 1914 to 1918 period.

Elizabeth Truss Portrait Elizabeth Truss (South West Norfolk) (Con)
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Given the sterling performance of RAF Marham servicemen in Libya and the strategic and economic advantages of the base, when a decision is made in the spring about basing for the joint strike fighter, will RAF Marham not be the ideal candidate?

Lord Hammond of Runnymede Portrait Mr Hammond
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I give my hon. Friend full marks for her persistence on behalf of her constituency interest, but I have to tell her that it is far too early to make a decision about where the joint strike fighter will be based.