Speeches by Roome.

“I agree with the hon. and gallant Gentleman, and I thank him for his distinguished service too. We are seeing that in how we are learning lessons from Ukraine. I have been out there and seen the systems, so I totally agree. Defence reform is a very important element that the MOD should look at, and I am sure the Minist…”

“The MCA has told MPs that it has data to back its claim that CROs would rather be volunteers than employees. Can the Minister confirm that those findings can be shared? This has a massive bearing on the MCA’s decision, and may greatly undermine the essential lifeline that CROs provide to coastal communities like mine i…”

“I certainly do, and I will come that later in my speech. There are areas where the Government seem to have cut corners: munitions reserves, medical support, industrial resilience—all essential for enduring a longer crisis. Professionals talk logistics. In 1940, Sir Winston Churchill appointed Lord Beaverbrook to rapidl…”

“I thank my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Tunbridge Wells (Mike Martin) for securing this debate. There are moments in politics when delay is not just a mistake, but a danger. This is one of those moments. The truth is that the world has become more dangerous much faster than Britain has become ready. The strat…”

“I was outside this process at the beginning. On lessons learned, I would have thought that it would have been better if the DIP were done in conjunction with the SDR, to stop all the confusion with industry this year and to give industry clarity. What are the lessons learned from not doing it that way round?”

“From the beginning, do you wish that we had had some quick wins with the SDR? When announcing the SDR, we could have said, “We could get some quick wins here” to give it credibility.”

“If we want to be ready to face action, given what has been suggested will be Russia's aggression against NATO by 2030, then what integrated air and missile defence systems must we be developing in the next four years? Is £790 million good enough? I suggest not, but I would be interested in your thoughts.”

“I know your expertise in and advocacy of the digital targeting web. How do you place that in future warfare?”

“As a platform for delivering what UK defence needs, is the defence investment plan better or worse than the previous incarnation—the defence equipment plan?”

“The defence investment plan includes an additional £100 million transformation of the Royal Marines commando forces, with a special focus on our allies in Scandinavia and the High North. As the Royal Marines Commando Logistic Regiment is based at RM Chivenor in my constituency, will the Secretary of State tell us what …”

“The Defence Committee has just come back from Norway. It worries me that some defence programmes may be withdrawn in the DIP. Does my hon. Friend agree that the defence programmes set out in the defence investment plan are important for not only our national security but maintaining and deepening the UK’s relationships…”

“It is a big misconception that single living accommodation in the forces is primarily for those who are single; it is not. Even at the flag-raising ceremony here in Westminster today, most of those in uniform told me that their wives live in a different part of the country, and they are living in single living accommod…”

“This year, two of Devon’s school food providers have shut down due to rapidly rising business and food costs. The Government school food standards consultation closed on 12 June, so will the Secretary of State now ensure that funding for school meals is sustained and that procurement supports healthy, fresh and local f…”

“T1. If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.”

“We should not let everything that is happening in Westminster today distract us from the urgent need to safeguard our national defence. New clause 22 would highlight the result of the defence investment plan being long overdue. Does my hon. Friend agree that our understanding is that we still expect the defence investm…”

“First of all, I would like to say what a great honour it was to attend Windsor castle on Friday to see the presentation of the new colours to the Royal Marines. It was an absolutely superb event and carried out to extreme precision. It has been reported that the Ministry of Defence is considering delaying or scrapping …”

“First of all, I would like to say what a great honour it was to attend Windsor castle on Friday to see the presentation of the new colours to the Royal Marines. It was an absolutely superb event and carried out to extreme precision. It has been reported that the Ministry of Defence is considering delaying or scrapping …”

“I would like to turn now to Russia and the increasing frustration, particularly within the Russian elite, and the $28 billion overspend in the war cost that has been reported this year. Could you give us some idea of what the feeling is among the Russians about the war, and how that might affect the course of the war g…”

“We will ask you later what might change that course in your opinion. At the moment, all the panel are thinking that Putin will not change his mind and will carry on, and the resentment that is felt in Russia will not determine his initial thoughts of what he wants to succeed at.”

“indicated assent.”