I congratulate my hon. Friend on his excellent speech.

It is a pleasure to take part in this debate and to listen to both the Minister, for whom I have a huge amount of respect, and the shadow

I am most grateful. My right hon. Friend is doing an excellent job under difficult circumstances—[Hon.

I sit on the European Scrutiny Committee and have done so for some time.

History, sadly, has shown us that politicians are all too easily tempted to cut our armed forces in order to spend money in other areas.

History, sadly, has shown us that politicians are all too easily tempted to cut our armed forces in order to spend money in other areas.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.