Speeches by Roome.

“I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Bobby Dean) for introducing this important debate. I thank the Minister for visiting North Devon district hospital to see the estate for herself and for listening to the passionate pleas from NHS clinicians serving on the frontline. The hospital is now th…”

“I thank the Chair of the Defence Committee for securing this estimates debate on defence. Of all the demands on public finances, none are more serious than paying for this country’s defence. Recent years—even the last few days—have brought that into sharp relief. This time last year, at the spring statement, the Govern…”

“The External Scrutiny Team’s main responsibility is monitoring the Volunteer Reserve. Should there be a similar body for other reservists, or should your team take on this role? If so, should the Bill be amended to reflect that?”

“The Chancellor refers to opportunities that young people deserve. However, hundreds of college students in my North Devon constituency have spent weeks unable to travel to college due to flooding and rail closures. Will the Government confirm that they will invest in their life chances by doing more to upgrade our tran…”

“The intention is to align the Reserve Forces Act 1996 with the whole-force approach set down in the SDR. Having said that, what does success look like for the Bill’s proposals, and how should it be measured? What should the role of the External Scrutiny Team be in monitoring that?”

“Having said that, given the scope is going to expand, do you think you will need more resource?”

“Thanks to the panel for giving evidence today. Lord Peach, we served together in the ’80s in RAF Germany on the introduction of the GR1s, so it is very nice to see you.”

“As a veteran, I agree with the Prime Minister that the safety of our armed forces and of British citizens should come first in any decision made in the future. Given the rapidly evolving situation, will the Ministry of Defence now expedite the promised defence investment plan, so that our industry can get on and make t…”

“I thank the Minister for the Government’s decision to effectively write off about 90% of Devon county council’s SEND debts. I know that will reassure many parents in my constituency. Will the Minister tell us how the new school curriculum will give schools the flexibility they need to support children with special educ…”

“It gives me great pleasure to be one of the last speakers in such a unifying debate, in which Members on all sides of the House can agree on the same thing. I associate myself with the remarks of all those who have already spoken. This country should be immensely proud of the support that we have given to Ukraine in it…”

“I certainly do. I thank the right hon. Gentleman for telling us about his visit. It is great that we can share learning as well as military capabilities. The past four years must serve as a lesson for us in the UK. The frontlines have seen the invention of fibre-optic drones and cyber-sabotage, and the emergence of art…”

“I totally agree with the hon. Gentleman that those people should be held accountable for the crimes they have committed. I am sure the Minister will take note of that. On that same trip to Kyiv, we met many Ukrainian parliamentarians, including the Ukrainian Veterans Minister. That role is new to the Ukrainians. It was…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for making that poignant point, with which I totally agree. We in the UK are relearning the strategic importance of warfighting, of deterrence, readiness and resilience at home, and of sticking with European allies that we could have taken for granted. It is important that UK civil society unders…”

“Is that something you would commit to take away and include?”

“That was a good interruption, because my question is about the practicality of it all in the IT systems. If someone goes into a jobcentre, is this embedded in your IT system, and is it a question that you ask? Maybe it is more like your Ministers’ tick sheet, where you see whether they have taken due regard of the Cove…”

“When you were talking about how you will check yourselves, I was thinking of the Deming cycle: plan, do, check, act. During yesterday’s evidence session, we heard from the heads of the service families associations—the Royal Air Force, the Army, the Royal Marines and the Navy. Do you meet the heads of those services? T…”

“Can I check one thing, Kate? At the moment, when a patient presents to a GP or an ED, are they asked whether they are a veteran or have ever served, or is that something you would be looking to implement as part of the Bill?”

“Good morning. First, thank you for the work you do with the armed forces community and the public at large within your roles. Thank you very much on behalf of the Committee. The Bill will extend the scope of the Armed Forces Covenant to cover a number of new policy areas. What will the practical impact of that be on lo…”

“Let me give you a golden moment now. Are there any other policy areas that you think the Select Committee should be aware of that could be improved?”

“Chloe and Caroline, have you anything to add on the social care aspect?”