§ 7. Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York)What response he has made to the consultation exercise on the new chapter of the strategic defence review; and if he will make a statement. [50946]
§ The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Geoffrey Hoon)I have been delighted with the wide-ranging and constructive responses to the Ministry of Defence's discussion paper on a new chapter to the strategic defence review. We have now received more than 300 responses, of which some 250 were from external organisations and individuals. Although last month's deadline for responses has passed, I have made it clear that we continue to welcome views and ideas. The responses have been acknowledged where possible, and are being taken into 659 account in the work. As I have previously told the House, I expect to be in a position to publish conclusions in the late spring or early summer.
§ Miss McIntoshHow does the Secretary of State hope to achieve the aims that he has set out in the new chapter? As he told the House in February, we are to mount find-and-strike operations and to extend the global reach of the forces, at a time when our Army has a shortfall of approximately 8,000.
§ Mr. HoonIt will depend first on our reaching some conclusions from the work that is under way. Although the hon. Lady has anticipated those conclusions, the material produced previously, and indeed in the discussion document, constituted only our tentative view of what would be required. I expect to be able to tell the House how the funds necessary to support the work will be secured when we are nearer to reaching conclusions.
§ Mr. Ian Davidson (Glasgow, Pollok)Has the Secretary of State any plans, as part of the review, to examine the pattern of recruitment, particularly at senior officer level, to ensure that all sections of society and all educational backgrounds are represented? At present, the officer class seems to be drawn from a relatively narrow educational background.
May I also ask whether the Secretary of State, or his Department, intends to continue to be extremely unhelpful in answering questions about this matter?
§ Mr. HoonI was sorry to hear my hon. Friend's last observation. I will certainly try to be as helpful as I can.
The opportunities for individual service men and women to progress to the rank of officer, either directly or indirectly, are currently determined entirely on merit. If my hon. Friend has criticisms of the existing system I shall be delighted to hear the details from him, and I assure him that Ministers will consider them very carefully.