Oral Answers to Questions

Henry Smith Excerpts

Monday 20th November 2023 Commons Chamber

[Grant Shapps]

I do not know when the right hon. Gentleman was last able to visit Kyiv himself, but when he does go, he will discover that the attitude there is that no country in the world has been more forward-leaning and progressive in its support, and that remains the same today as it was before this conflict began. We have trained 52,000 Ukrainian troops since 2014. Our support is not for today or tomorrow or the short term; it is forever.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

T4.   What assessment has the Defence Secretary made of the strategic importance to UK national security, and indeed that of the United States, of retaining British sovereignty over Diego Garcia?

[Grant Shapps]

It is essential that we maintain our position, to be able to assist ourselves and the United States, in Diego Garcia.