Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Jim Cunningham Excerpts
Monday 16th December 2013

(10 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Anna Soubry Portrait Anna Soubry
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I pay tribute to my hon. Friend, because I know that Professor Tim Briggs is his constituent, and that is why he so ably puts forward this report, which of course has much merit. Professor Briggs has met the surgeon-general, and we look forward to the report bearing fruit in due course.

Jim Cunningham Portrait Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)
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T2. Last time I asked the Secretary of State a question about the reserves, he said that he had a better track record than me as Secretary of State, although as I have never been Secretary of State I could not have a better track record in that regard. When and why did the Government’s policy change so that reductions to regular forces are no longer contingent on an uplift in reserves recruitment?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I do not wish to disappoint the hon. Gentleman or the Secretary of State, but frankly I have no recollection of that exchange, and I expect that my experience is widely shared in the House.