Peter Luff
Main Page: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)Department Debates - View all Peter Luff's debates with the Ministry of Defence
(10 years, 3 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Mr Speaker
It appears not. Never mind, he is a model of calm and patience. We will move on—I think we will get Sir Peter Luff in.
Sir Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire) (Con)
17. What plans he has to encourage public debate on the defence needs of the UK in advance of the strategic defence and security review in 2015.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Dr Andrew Murrison)
Public debate on defence matters and Britain’s place in the world is always welcome and the Ministry of Defence encourages this through its frequent engagement with Parliament. We also routinely engage with the service community, academics, think-tanks and other stakeholders in the course of policy formulation and I would expect this to accelerate in advance of the formal Cabinet Office-led cross-Government SDSR.
Sir Peter Luff
Given the importance of winning the informed consent of the British people for the payment of the insurance premium that guarantees our freedom and security, will my hon. Friend commit to following the good, if somewhat belated, example of the previous Government and publishing a Green Paper to build consensus ahead of the next SDSR?
Dr Murrison
The precise questions to be asked and the nature of the asking are a matter for the next Government, since this review will take place after the general election. Of course, both parties, of which one is likely to form the next Government, are represented in the Chamber today and I have no doubt that they are listening to what my hon. Friend has to say.