Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Hammond Excerpts
Monday 14th November 2011

(12 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Peter Luff Portrait Peter Luff
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We have not yet had any discussions with industry about how these arrangements will be carried forward in future—in some 14 years’ time. However, the TOBAs are performing very well and delivering savings in excess of their expected benefits. I promise my hon. Friend that we will talk very carefully to all those involved, including Plymouth city council and him, about any future arrangements when the time comes, but that is not quite yet, I fear.

Stephen Hammond Portrait Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) (Con)
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4. If he will make it his policy to oppose the creation of an EU operational headquarters.

Jason McCartney Portrait Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con)
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10. If he will make it his policy to oppose the creation of an EU operational headquarters.

Lord Hammond of Runnymede Portrait The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond)
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It is the policy of this Government that NATO remain the cornerstone of UK defence. We see no justification whatsoever for a permanent EU military operational headquarters, and we will continue to oppose it. We have been clear that the establishment of a permanent operational headquarters would be a duplication of existing capability provided by NATO, would permanently dissociate the EU from NATO, and would be an unnecessary and unjustified use of resources.

Stephen Hammond Portrait Stephen Hammond
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The lesson from recent military operations is that our operations with joint and existing allies have enabled military objectives to be achieved. The Secretary of State is clearly right that the proposal to create an EU headquarters would be a duplication, but would it not also curtail the involvement of some of our existing allies in military objectives that we may wish to undertake?

Lord Hammond of Runnymede Portrait Mr Hammond
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My hon. Friend is exactly right. It would duplicate and undermine arrangements we have in place that have been demonstrated to be perfectly adequate.

--- Later in debate ---
Lord Hammond of Runnymede Portrait Mr Hammond
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As the right hon. Gentleman knows, the appointment of Ministers is a matter for the Prime Minister. But I cannot help noticing that the Leader of the Opposition does not appear to have taken note of the right hon. Gentleman’s self-denying recommendations.

Stephen Hammond Portrait Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) (Con)
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T3. I welcome my right hon. Friend’s comments about the need for sustainability. Will he therefore confirm to the House that he will continue the good work of his predecessor in implementing the whole of the Levene recommendations?

Lord Hammond of Runnymede Portrait Mr Hammond
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I am happy to give my hon. Friend that assurance. I have been through the body of recommendations that Lord Levene made and that were endorsed by my predecessor. I am happy with them as a whole and I will pursue their implementation.