Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton and Lindsay Hoyle

Wednesday 21st March 2012 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

The real mistake and error was inheriting a £38 billion black hole in the defence budget. To pay tribute to my right hon. Friend, what he wants as Defence Secretary is to be the first—in a generation, frankly—to announce a balanced and funded budget for defence, for this year and for many years to come. That is what we are discussing. We will look at all the evidence and all the costings. As the hon. Gentleman will know, costings change in defence, but I make this pledge: if costs and facts change, we—unlike previous Governments—will not just plough on regardless and make the wrong decisions for political reasons.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

Order. I should inform the House that the Bill on today’s Order Paper is not being presented.