National Security Capability Review Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

National Security Capability Review

Tom Brake Excerpts
Monday 15th January 2018

(6 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Gavin Williamson Portrait Gavin Williamson
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That point has been echoed by not just myself but the US Administration. We need to make sure that everyone understands that every country in NATO has to contribute towards the collective security of Europe and that that is not something that can be outsourced to another nation.

Tom Brake Portrait Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)
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Our Prime Minister is meeting President Macron later this week in Sandhurst. The French are our major defence partners. Will they be consulted as part of the review, particularly in terms of the implications post Brexit for our ability to co-operate with them and other EU partners?

Gavin Williamson Portrait Gavin Williamson
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It is a sovereign decision as to how we spend our money on our armed forces, and that decision should be made purely in this country. However, we have worked, and we continue to work, with the French, as we do with the United States, and they are important partners in ensuring we have the stability and security in Europe that benefits every European nation.