Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom: MOD: All Documents

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 23 Feb 2015
Oral Answers to Questions

"And ours, indeed. Then we would be standing by the encouragement and the commitments that we made at the NATO summit only six months ago...."
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 02 Feb 2015
Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill

"I am grateful to my hon. Friend for trailing her coat in such an attractive way. Might I ask why she is so set against thematic reports to be produced by the ombudsman, which was recommended by the wonderful Dr Susan Atkins?..."
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 02 Feb 2015
Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill

"This is probably the last defence debate in which I shall speak.

It is good that the subject is the introduction of a service complaints ombudsman, because the Defence Committee has been making points about that issue steadily since before I became a member in 2005. As far as I …..."
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 02 Feb 2015
Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill

"I spoke earlier of my diffidence. I think I should move into full retreat and just carry on with my speech because my hon. Friend already knows far more about that than I do, and I pay tribute to him again.

I want to change the subject slightly. I have …..."
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 02 Feb 2015
Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill

" My hon. Friend is right, if ambitious, but who could argue that the world is a safer place now than in the cold war years? I think it is far less safe because we live in a multi-polar world. Mutually assured destruction brought us, curiously, some stability...."
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 02 Feb 2015
Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill

"rose—..."
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 02 Feb 2015
Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill

"In order to reassure you, Madam Deputy Speaker, I can say that it is one and a half sentences, and my one and a half sentences relate to the 0.7% statutory commitment that we seem to be moving towards on international development. I approve of international development—I think it does …..."
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 02 Feb 2015
Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill

"I cannot remember hearing a victory such as that announced in the Chamber, so I congratulate the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mrs Moon) who has been pursuing this matter for many years. I should also point out the value of having a lawyer in a ministerial role...."
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Written Question

Armed Forces: Uniforms

Monday 5th January 2015

Asked by: Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what comparative assessment his Department has made of the future waterproofing requirements of the armed forces of (a) the UK and (b) other NATO member states; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Philip Dunne

The Ministry of Defence takes all measures possible to ensure that all clothing issued to service personnel is both right for the job and right for them. We apply rigorous technical specifications and quality standards which are reviewed regularly. These assessments include regular engagement with UK Front Line Commands and NATO to ensure appropriate products are obtained for UK Armed Forces.

The new Waterproof Garments contract, commonly known as the Taped Seam Contract, includes the lightweight waterproof jacket, which can be worn under body armour; all other waterproof garments are designed to be worn without body armour.Although, currently, there is no identified requirement for chemical and biological protection or flame retardancy the new contract will include a design and development clause for future requirements.