Former Military
Personnel: Depression and Suicide
(Aldershot) (Con):
The role of all three services of the British armed forces in the
liberation of Mosul in Iraq in recent days must be commended.
Will the Secretary of State tell me what plans we have for
further involvement in Iraq and whether he agrees that the
British Army has a crucial role in mentoring and training the
Iraqi forces, who are a hugely important ally?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence
(Mr Tobias Ellwood): I am a Minister in the Ministry of
Defence rather than the Secretary of State, but I am glad that my
hon. Friend has such confidence in me. I welcome him to his
place. It was a pleasure to join him on the 35th anniversary of
the Falklands conflict. He is right to ask what should happen
next. As we have seen so many times in various conflicts, there
has not been that important transition from war-fighting to
peacekeeping, but I know that the Secretary of State is involved
in this matter.
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Common Defence and
Security Policy
(Bristol East)
(Lab): Last week, giving evidence in the Lords,
, and all expressed concern about the
impact of Brexit on our influence in the world. Does the
Secretary of State agree with that we should be seeking
permanent membership of the EU’s Political and Security Committee
to ensure that we can lead a united response on issues such as
sanctions on Iran and that we have a united voice on the
Falklands?
The Secretary of State for Defence (Sir Michael
Fallon): After Brexit, we will still have the largest
defence budget and the largest navy in Europe. We have a range of
assets and capabilities on which other countries in Europe will
want to continue to work with us. So far as foreign policy is
concerned, we have not yet got to the point in the negotiations
of sorting out exactly what the relationship will be, but let me
assure the hon. Lady that I expect to continue our co-operation
with my fellow Defence Ministers.
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