Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Scotland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Wendy Chamberlain Excerpts
Wednesday 1st May 2024

(6 months, 3 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alister Jack Portrait Mr Jack
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My hon. Friend is absolutely correct. It is the Conservatives who are trusted to defend the whole of the United Kingdom. The SNP has consistently proposed abandoning our nuclear deterrent, including in its most recent independence paper. The irony is that the SNP wants to be part of the NATO alliance, but not part of a nuclear NATO alliance.

Wendy Chamberlain Portrait Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) (LD)
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A vital part of defence spending is ensuring that military personnel live in safe and suitable accommodation. At last week’s debate on the Renters (Reform) Bill, my hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) ensured concessions from the Government on the standards of military accommodation. What assessment has the Secretary of State made of that in Scotland?

Alister Jack Portrait Mr Jack
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The hon. Lady is absolutely right. As the father of a serving soldier, I completely agree with her. I hear from members of the military that they are disappointed with the standard of accommodation. I have raised the issue on a UK-wide basis and discussed it with the Defence Secretary. He said the programme of improvements, which started before last winter, amounts to £400 million of spending.