Strategic Defence and Security Review

Lord Browne of Ladyton Excerpts

Tuesday 19th October 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Strathclyde]

My Lords, to take the last point first, the DfID budget is protected and substantial and was built up by the previous Administration. That department needs to decide how to make its priorities in view of the Government’s overall priorities. On the whole, I welcomed the contribution from the noble Lord, Lord West of Spithead. He certainly started off in a very positive light. He asked one straightforward question about the carriers and the cats and traps. We have given a commitment to putting cats and traps on to one carrier—that will go ahead—but we have not yet decided finally on what should happen to the second one. We do not need to make that decision now but, when we do, it will be widely announced to the House.

[Lord Browne of Ladyton]

My Lords, the full implications of this—

[Noble Lords]

Time. Order!