Defence Reform

John Bercow Excerpts

Monday 27th June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Understandably, there is intense interest in this statement, but I have also to protect time for the heavily subscribed debate that is to follow. Therefore I must insist on brief questions and brief answers.

--- Later in debate ---

[Dr Fox]

I fully accept that this is the unglamorous but no less necessary part of the business. It might mean that I have to bore the House witless—but some would say that is no break with precedent. On the corporate change programme to which my hon. Friend referred, may I specifically thank him for the encouragement he has given me through his focus on corporate change programmes? That has been instrumental in giving us the will to drive through the reforms to this point.

[Mr Speaker]

The Secretary of State should not be quite so hard on himself.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

Will the Secretary of State tell us more about how these reforms will deter future cyber-attacks?