Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Jacob Young Excerpts
Monday 2nd November 2020

(3 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Christian Wakeford Portrait Christian Wakeford (Bury South) (Con)
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What preparations his Department has made to support the NHS and other public bodies with their response to covid-19 during winter 2020-21.

Jacob Young Portrait Jacob Young (Redcar) (Con)
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What preparations his Department has made to support the NHS and other public bodies with their response to covid-19 during winter 2020-21.

Andrew Jones Portrait Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con)
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What preparations his Department has made to support the NHS and other public bodies with their response to covid-19 during winter 2020-21.

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Ben Wallace Portrait Mr Wallace
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Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, I have ensured both that we have supported our colleagues across Government in tackling the virus, and that our critical defence outputs have continued to be fulfilled every single day. The continuous at-sea deterrent, our Royal Air Force quick reaction alert force and a range of other critical capabilities, and our operations, have all been and will continue to be safeguarded.

Jacob Young Portrait Jacob Young
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Our armed forces have been instrumental in testing for covid-19, and soon they will be supporting the roll-out of mass testing in Redcar too. Does the Minister agree that in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday, we should focus not just on the loss of life in battle but on the commitment our armed forces make to serve our communities every day?

Ben Wallace Portrait Mr Wallace
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Throughout the covid support force, the armed forces have committed personnel and time and effort in helping the rest of government to meet this challenge, including local government.

With regards to remembrance, despite the covid-19 restrictions in place this year, every effort will be made to ensure that the occasion can be marked appropriately and that the contribution of our service personnel is recognised. We should all take time this week to reflect not only on the sacrifices of past conflicts, but on the sacrifices of and work that our armed forces personnel are doing right now all over the United Kingdom in making sure that this country gets through the worst of covid.