Strategic Defence Review

Alec Shelbrooke Excerpts

Monday 2nd June 2025 Commons Chamber

[John Healey]

My hon. Friend is right. He will be aware of the national cyber force that we are developing further. He will also be aware that I have confirmed, and the SDR recommends, the establishment of a cyber and electromagnetic command, which will be in place and do exactly as he suggests: it will reinforce our capacity, our expertise and our ability to do both defensive and offensive cyber as part of the deterrence and the defence that we need for this country.

[Sir Alec Shelbrooke (Wetherby and Easingwold) (Con)]

I welcome the defence review—it sets a direction and there is much in it—but I do not agree with paragraph 20 on page 68:

“Defence should only run training and education itself when it cannot be obtained externally at suitable quality and cost.”

I think that ties in with paragraph 4 on page 105:

“As it reconsiders its training estate needs, the Navy should ensure there is ‘capacity by design’”.

I worry that that would mean the closing of the Dartmouth academy. Let me explain why I have linked those two statements. I am sure the Secretary of State has visited the United States naval officer training academy in Annapolis. The model there brings a real fellowship to people who want to stay in the armed forces because of all the things offered through the degrees and so on. I will perhaps expand on those comments when we have a further debate, but will the Secretary of State give a reassurance that great institutions and buildings such as Dartmouth will not be closed under this review?

[John Healey]

This SDR and the plans that will follow will only build further on the proud professional tradition and reputation of our Navy, RAF and Army training. I look forward to the further debates that the right hon. Gentleman promises.