Debate on a motion to consider the matter of defence in the world. (Relevant documents: Defence Select Committee thirteenth report of session 2006-07, on UK Operations in Afghanistan, HC 408 and the Government's response, HC 1024); Defence Select Committee first Report of session 2007-08, on UK land operations in Iraq 2007, HC 110, and the Government's response HC 352); and the Defence Select Committee ninth report of session 2007-08, on the future of NATO and European defence, HC 111.)

Debate on a motion to consider the matter of defence in the world. (Relevant documents: Defence Select Committee thirteenth report of session 2006-07, on UK Operations in Afghanistan, HC 408 and the Government's response, HC 1024); Defence Select Committee first Report of session 2007-08, on UK land operations in Iraq...

My right hon. Friend refers to the Secretary of State's agreeing with the reduction to 2,500. I remind him that there is widespread suspicion that the first the Secretary of State knew about the reduction was when he heard it announced in the international media.

My right hon. Friend refers to the Secretary of State's agreeing with the reduction to 2,500. I remind him that there is widespread suspicion that the first the Secretary of State knew about the reduction was when he heard it announced in the international media.

Given that we are engaged in not one but two major counter-insurgency campaigns, there is no danger of our doubting that we will have to be prepared for things other than state-on-state warfare. However, does the hon. Gentleman not accept that, because pretty much all the post-second world war examples...

Given that we are engaged in not one but two major counter-insurgency campaigns, there is no danger of our doubting that we will have to be prepared for things other than state-on-state warfare. However, does the hon. Gentleman not accept that, because pretty much all the post-second world war examples...

It is often alleged that this Government have no strategy and are hopeless, adrift and directionless, but there was a time when they did have a strategy, so that criticism is a little unfair. The strategy was very clear—order the carriers, leave Iraq, call a general election—but unfortunately it was...

It is often alleged that this Government have no strategy and are hopeless, adrift and directionless, but there was a time when they did have a strategy, so that criticism is a little unfair. The strategy was very clear—order the carriers, leave Iraq, call a general election—but unfortunately it was...

I am sorry to interrupt the hon. Gentleman's excellent speech, but a recent written answer gave some interesting information from the Minister for the Armed Forces. I had asked how long it would take to construct each of the carriers and was told five and a half years. If the...

I am sorry to interrupt the hon. Gentleman's excellent speech, but a recent written answer gave some interesting information from the Minister for the Armed Forces. I had asked how long it would take to construct each of the carriers and was told five and a half years. If the...

Whilst it is clear that this revelation has been volunteered by the Americans, and that presumably the Foreign Secretary would not be making this statement if they had not come forward in an honest way, will he take the opportunity of reminding our American allies of Britain's long record of...

Whilst it is clear that this revelation has been volunteered by the Americans, and that presumably the Foreign Secretary would not be making this statement if they had not come forward in an honest way, will he take the opportunity of reminding our American allies of Britain's long record of...