Oral Answers to Questions

Nick Smith Excerpts

Monday 14th January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab)]

14. What recent assessment he has made of trends in the number of armed forces personnel.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

16. What recent assessment he has made of trends in the number of armed forces personnel.

[Peter Kyle (Hove) (Lab)]

23. What recent assessment he has made of trends in the number of armed forces personnel.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

In calling the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Nick Smith), I take this opportunity to wish him a very happy birthday—might I suggest the 49th?

[Nick Smith]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is very kind of you to give me your best wishes.

Does the Minister not accept that the number of fully trained personnel in each of the armed services is now lower than it was this time last year, making a mockery of the Conservatives’ manifesto pledge to maintain the overall size of the armed forces?

[Mark Lancaster]

The overall manning of the armed forces remains at 93%. Crucially, that means that we are maintaining all of our operational commitments.