Oral Answers to Questions

Liz Twist Excerpts

Monday 18th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Gavin Williamson]

As I am sure my hon. Friend is aware, when we make major announcements, including on the delivery of carrier strike, they are shared across the Government. The deployment of the Queen Elizabeth and the carrier group to the Mediterranean, the middle east and the Pacific is an important sign that Britain is a global nation and a nation that wishes to play its role in upholding our interests and, of course, our values. As we have invested so much in our global carrier forces, it is important that we put them to sea and demonstrate Britain’s global presence, our involvement and our ability to act when required.

[Liz Twist (Blaydon) (Lab)]

T9. Does the Secretary of State agree that a statutory association body, such as that provided for the police, would allow armed forces personnel to make representations to the Government on a wide range of issues—falling morale, for example?

[Mark Lancaster]

No, I do not, and, crucially, I sense that there is no appetite within the armed forces for such a body.