Speeches by Roome.

“I notice that you identified better healthcare provision as one of your high-level aims, at a time when services are being reduced at Furness general hospital. How do you prioritise to get cross-Government liaison working so that you work as one team within central Government, as well as within local government?”

“In rural areas like my constituency, private renting is very expensive and is unaffordable to many. What is the Minister doing to ensure that more housing is available at social rent rather than market rent, which people can simply not afford?”

“Right. Given the importance of what AUKUS aims to deliver, one of the messages we picked up, particularly from people in Australia, was that we should have your post extended due to your knowledge and because it is good to have someone with that drive within the United Kingdom. They were impressed by your appointment, …”

“For the record, Sir Stephen, when is your appointment due to finish?”

“Sophie Gaston, in her written evidence to the Committee, was concerned about the Defence Secretary standing in for the Prime Minister, and saying basically that the Prime Minister should be involved all the time, because of the particular leadership that AUKUS needs to bring everyone together. What is your experience o…”

“Are you confident of sufficient drive and determination at the highest levels of Government to deliver both pillars 1 and 2 of AUKUS?”

“Have you any concerns about trilateral governance?”

“What effect do you think governance has in defence industry manufacturing regarding the lack of agreement, particularly on pillar 2 and what those areas should be?”

“To go back to the main governance structure, the FCDO, DESNZ and MoD are involved. The MoD tells us that it put in place more robust and centralised governance arrangements for AUKUS following your review. Is there now an understanding across Whitehall that AUKUS should be seen as a national endeavour, rather than as a…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship today, Ms Lewell. Earlier today, I was at the Parkinson’s event in the Palace, and I spoke to a surgeon who treats Parkinson’s patients every week. He told me that if more people were seen earlier, he could ensure better outcomes. Does the hon. Member agree that this ba…”

“Do you think that changes to the organisational structure are needed? I come back to what Emma Lewell said about the culture within the Ministry, and the aspect of, “This job has always existed and that is where I’m moving to next. That is my line of promotion and progression.” Do you think that sometimes they are prot…”

“There have been four major attempts to reform defence, in 1946, 1958, 1963 and 1984. Then there was Lord Levene’s report, which I know you did an analysis of, Dr Curtis. You talked about worries over poor implementation and particularly about how “the single Services had cherry picked those parts of the recommendations…”

“Mr Savill, why is Defence reform so challenging?”

“It is a privilege to be able to say even a few words about the vital contribution our armed forces continue to make to the act of remembrance. Every veteran deserves to have their service recognised, and it is a great credit to communities across the country that people from all walks of life still give generously and …”

“As a frequent visitor to Weymouth, I have seen the dog-friendly sticker scheme in the businesses on the high street. Does the hon. Member agree that making high street businesses dog-friendly helps to increase their profits? It has certainly cost me a bob or two when I have gone into shops that allow me to take my dog …”

“Any former Prime Ministers?”

“The Conservatives were in government. The election was called. The result was announced that Labour were forming the new Government. What was going through your minds about this particular injunction at the time? Were you thinking that they should have acted quicker?”

“Given that, what is your frustration around the MoD not giving you the responses you need now, after all this time?”

“Have you ever been told publicly that the MoD do not now have personnel keeping things on spreadsheets, to ensure that this does not happen again?”

“So much of this debate focuses on high streets under a magnifying glass. In my constituency, one in five people work in the retail or wholesale sector. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that if our shop fronts were a factory or a shipyard, the Government would be framing the challenge very differently?”