CONSERVATIVE
New Forest East

BUSINESS QUESTION – AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT SHIPS & OPERATION BANNER VETERANS - 19 January 2017

BUSINESS QUESTION – AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT SHIPS & OPERATION BANNER VETERANS - 19 January 2017

Dr Julian Lewis: As it is a double birthday [Mr Speaker's and Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin's] today, Mr Speaker, may we have a pair of statements: one on the long-term future of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, two of the most versatile and essential ships in the Royal Navy, whose future is threatened by a shortfall in the defence budget; and another on offering at least the same level of legislative protection to our veterans who served in Northern Ireland as is currently offered to the terrorists who fought against the welfare of the community that the veterans fought to defend?

[The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr David Lidington): On my right hon. Friend’s second point, the Northern Ireland Secretary has already said that he feels considerable disquiet at some of the reports of proposed prosecutions, and he is working very actively to try to secure agreement within Northern Ireland to legislate on the legacy of the troubles in a way that settles that issue as well as a number of others. On his point about the two naval vessels, I will ask the relevant Defence Minister to contact him about the detail.]