Strategic Defence and Security Review

John Bercow Excerpts

Thursday 4th November 2010 Commons Chamber

[The Secretary of State for Defence (Dr Liam Fox)]

I beg to move,

That this House has considered the matter of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Last month, the Government published the strategic—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The Secretary of State should resume his seat. Given that he was manifestly late for the debate, I thought that, as a matter of straightforward courtesy, he would begin his remarks with a fulsome apology to the House. That is what he will now do.

[Dr Fox]

Mr Speaker, I completely apologise for any inconvenience to you or the House as a result of my late attendance.

Last month, the Government published the strategic defence and security review. This was a thorough, cross-Government strategic effort, overseen by the National Security Council, looking at all aspects of security and defence. It describes the adaptable posture that we have chosen to meet the threats and exploit the opportunities that we identified in the national security strategy.