Armed Forces Redundancies Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Armed Forces Redundancies

Paul Flynn Excerpts
Monday 4th April 2011

(13 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Robathan Portrait Mr Robathan
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Indeed, we announced to the House on 1 March that the redundancy programme would be announced on 4 April. That is exactly what was planned in the SDSR and there is nothing in addition. I am sorry that some people have wished to make political capital of the matter.

Paul Flynn Portrait Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab)
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Why do two out of three items of vital equipment fail to reach our combat troops on time?

Lord Robathan Portrait Mr Robathan
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I have known the hon. Gentleman for a long time and know that he takes a particular interest in these issues, but I do not think his facts are correct on this occasion. There were issues in the past but—and here I will be rather consensual—equipment procurement got a lot better during the final years of the previous Administration. Equipment procurement is now much better, particularly in operational areas.