Opposition debate on defence reform
27 June 2012 (updated on 27 June 2012)
Shadow Minister for Defence, Kevan Jones, moved an Opposition day debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday 26 June on defence reform
Defence reform
The Opposition motion stated "That this House recognises the need for defence reform; notes with concern the speed and depth of redundancies and the threat to historic regiments and battalions; supports the armed forces covenant but is anxious about the implications of changes to Service pensions and allowances and the effect of these and other measures on morale..."
The Opposition motion was defeated on a division (Ayes 210; Noes 294).
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, Andrew Robathan, responded on behalf of the Government.
Watch and read the views expressed by MPs during the debate on Parliament TV and in Commons Hansard. Also find parliamentary material on Defence in the Topics and News sections.
- Parliament TV: Opposition debate on defence reform
- Commons Hansard: Opposition debate on defence reform
- Topics: Defence
- Parliamentary News: Defence
Opposition day debates
Opposition days are days allocated in the House of Commons in each session for the discussion of subjects chosen by the Opposition. Seventeen days are at the disposal of the leader of the largest opposition party to decide which topics are debated. Three days are also allocated to the other smaller opposition parties.
The Opposition generally use them to raise questions of policy and administration. Frequently, two separate subjects are debated on an opposition day.