Bett Report (Hansard, 29 October 1996)

§ 13. Mr. Martlew
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the Bett report. [360]

§ Mr. Portillo
In July I informed the House that detailed options were being developed to take forward the independent review's report, and that more work was needed on those options. Progress is being made, and I hope that a report will be produced later this year that will provide the basis for an information exercise within the armed forces.

§ Mr. Martlew
Does the Secretary of State recall that in February we were told from the Dispatch Box that a definitive statement would be made before the summer? We are now approaching Christmas and the Secretary of State is again delaying that statement. Is not the reality that the Government have thrown the Bett report into the dustbin for party political reasons?

§ Mr. Portillo
No. The reality is that it is important to develop systems which help to recruit and retain good people. That requires much detailed analysis. We must ensure that we get it right, and that takes time.

§ Mr. Key
Given the number of reviews to which the armed forces have been subjected in recent years, and given the unpopularity of the Bett report, will my right hon. Friend ensure that he does not take the advice of the report's author to do all or nothing, but that he is selective about the changes from which the armed forces would benefit?

§ Mr. Portillo
These decisions are in the Government's hands and not in the hands of the author of the report. The Government will undertake those measures that they believe to be in the best interests of the armed forces. I agree with my hon. Friend that such reviews can be the cause of some anxiety in the armed forces. For that reason, we have made it clear that we do not need a defence review, and especially not one with the painful consequences that the Opposition tell us would flow from the review proposed by the Labour party.