Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Jim Cunningham Excerpts
Monday 29th February 2016

(8 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jess Phillips Portrait Jess Phillips (Birmingham, Yardley) (Lab)
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3. What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the planned 30% reduction in his Department’s civilian workforce on front-line service personnel.

Jim Cunningham Portrait Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)
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10. What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the planned 30% reduction in his Department’s civilian workforce on front-line service personnel.

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Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton Portrait Mark Lancaster
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No, I do not, because the savings of approximately £300 million that we will be able to make will ultimately be reinvested in front-line capability.

Jim Cunningham Portrait Mr Jim Cunningham
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Does the Minister think that expertise may be lost as a result of the cuts to the civilian force?

Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton Portrait Mark Lancaster
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Under the “whole force” approach, we have tried to find the balance both between regular and reserve service personnel, and between MOD civilians and contractors. This is a mix that successive Governments have followed. We try to use the right people in the right place at the right time.