Overseas Aid and Defence Expenditure Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateLord Boyce
Main Page: Lord Boyce (Crossbench - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Boyce's debates with the Department for International Development
(6 years, 9 months ago)
Lords ChamberThe noble Lord is absolutely right and we share that concern. It is a joint commitment, which had widespread support on all sides of the House when it went through. We can stick to the legislation and be proud of it because we are saving lives.
My Lords, if the Minister believes that there is no problem with the defence budget, why at the moment are illustrative savings being looked at, for example to close out an Army brigade, do away with the Army Air Corps, and completely undermine and shred our amphibious capability?
The noble and gallant Lord will be aware that a national security capability review by the national security adviser is under way. As part of that all options are being looked at, as he would expect when a review takes place, but no decisions have been made at present and the comments on the budget remain.