Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Bool and Luke Pollard

Monday 1st June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Luke Pollard]

The Secretary of State for Scotland and I wrote to the Scottish Government a number of months ago now, but we have still had no reply to our offer of two DTECs in Scotland. I hope that the Scottish National party MPs present will be able to hurry on their Scottish Government to give young people in Scotland the DTECs they deserve.

[Sarah Bool (South Northamptonshire) (Con)]

The SDR acknowledges that a significant proportion of the reserves work in the NHS and that, if they were to be deployed, there would be significant issues. Given that defence medical services and the NHS have to work together, will the Government set out what plans they are putting in place for this?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Bool and Luke Pollard

Monday 3rd November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Bool (South Northamptonshire) (Con)]

EKA Ltd in my constituency is a supplier to Ministry of Defence service recovery vehicles that have to be deployed with our tanks, but an issue that it and other service personnel have highlighted is the absence of the provision of robust spare parts in the event of a breakdown or damage. The Government are spending millions on these assets but leaving them completely unprotected. Is the MOD reviewing the provision of spares as part of its procurement, and would the Minister meet me and EKA Ltd to discuss the matter further?

[Luke Pollard]

I am happy to meet the hon. Lady to discuss this further. The last Government, I am afraid, left not only our weapons stockpiles almost empty, but far too many of our parts stockpiles as well. We are looking at investing in that as part of our defence investment plan, but I am happy to meet her to discuss the matter further.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Bool and Luke Pollard

Monday 10th February 2025 Commons Chamber

[Luke Pollard]

This is an important topic, and it really matters. Implementing the recommendations of the Atherton review and raising standards, as the Minister for Veterans and People has spoken about, will benefit everyone in the armed forces, but women in particular. We need to improve culture and behaviour, and focus on women’s health and wellbeing. New policies are being brought forward to address that. We are also standing up more work on calling out crimes and behaviour that is unacceptable in our armed forces. Everyone should have a place in our armed forces, because defending our country requires a whole-of-society approach. We must not neglect any part of society.

[Sarah Bool (South Northamptonshire) (Con)]

15. Whether he plans to appoint a veterans’ commissioner for England.