Armed Forces: Covid-19 Deployment Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Armed Forces: Covid-19 Deployment

Martyn Day Excerpts
Tuesday 10th November 2020

(3 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jeremy Quin Portrait Jeremy Quin
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I should also declare an interest because I am a Sussex Member of Parliament. Those military personnel have done a terrific job, including, I recall, in May with the mobile testing unit. I am delighted to confirm what my hon. Friend says relating to increased interest in the armed forces. As I say, recruitment is well up this year, as is retention, and I am delighted to see both.

Martyn Day Portrait Martyn Day (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (SNP) [V]
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May I put on the record my gratitude for the work that the armed forces are doing in combating this global pandemic? It does seem that there are other countries that may be better organised in emergency management, so what lessons have been learned by the UK Government from how other countries have been handling the crisis?

Jeremy Quin Portrait Jeremy Quin
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I thank the hon. Gentleman for the question. We always look at what other people do and how other people respond, but there has been a great well of support—as, indeed, came from him—for the work done by the armed forces, how they have responded to requests that have come in and how they have continued to assist other Departments in ensuring that we get the very best response in this country.