Speeches by Norman.

“Focusing on the point you just made, can you give me an example, among the slew of recent MoD announcements that might be affecting the SME sector, of one that filled you with joy because it gave you a sense that it was heading in the right direction, and one that filled you with dread because it reinforced all the wor…”

“Just as a general characterisation, when we are in peacetime, procedures are slow, impersonal and highly rule-based. When the guano hits the fan, and you have to make decisions and get on with it, stuff very quickly becomes quick, personal and discretionary. Before I turn to the issue of SMEs, what lessons can we learn…”

“It could be as simple as that.”

“Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. You have said much that was true and good, and it is hard to improve on what you said as well as the Chief Whip, but may I add a few words? Roy Stone went into the civil service at the age of 16 and served his entire life there and in this House. Twelve Chief Whips across ext…”

“This is of course the 80th anniversary of VE Day, when all Britain rejoiced at the defeat of fascism and the end of the war in Europe. I am sure I speak for the whole House in putting on record once again our profound thanks and our celebration of the immortal memory of that extraordinary generation who—through their c…”

“Will the Leader of the House give us the forthcoming business?”

“To be clear, it is not just about the funding, although the UK and Europe might be expected to put up more; there is a defence opportunity here for the UK, and it is most of all a matter of posture in relation to the USA. That is what I think you are saying.”

“Thank you very much. As a Minister for space transport, I was at the last meeting of the Space Council, as was George Freeman as Minister for space research. Ministers at that meeting were quite discontented by an attempt to rubber-stamp a decision, which seemed to me to perfectly reinforce the need for political overs…”

“Yes.”

“That is very helpful, thanks. Juliana, do you want to comment on any of that?”

“I am greatly enjoying your testimony—thank you so much. Can I summarise what I think you are saying about the question of integrated air and missile defence, so that I understand it? You are saying that we are expecting this to be an activity that is simultaneously defensive in the pure sense and offensive in the sense…”

“In the context of Europe and NATO, as the plan develops in some proposed way, we would be focusing on certain areas of strength and offering them to other allies, and we would not be delivering or developing certain areas in reliance on what they would be doing, for fear of duplication and all the regular stuff. First,…”

“Where does the UK have specific capabilities, experience and expertise that would fit into a sensible plan of that kind?”

“I don’t think Hereford would be included.”

“I am just being a bit provocative, to get a sense of exactly where we are going.”

“That is very helpful. Thank you very much.”

“So our soft targets are essentially everywhere that British history extends in terms of its current obligations, because of the feedback effect on sentiment, public opinion and democratic values?”

“To which we have a defence commitment.”

“A Maginot line scenario, right? We are pointing in the wrong direction.”

“But particularly on air and missile?”