Debate on Defence Reforms
17 October 2013
On Thursday 17 October, MPs took part in a debate on a motion relating to defence reforms in the UK. This debate was chosen by the Backbench Business Committee following representations from John Baron, Jim Dobbin, David Nuttall, Mr Jim Cunningham and Mrs Mary Glindon.
Watch the debate and read the transcript
The debate was the first item of main business on Thursday and began at around 12.30pm. The debate was opened by John Baron.
Watch the debate on Parliament TV and read the views expressed by MPs in Commons Hansard.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on defence reforms in the UK
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on defence reforms in the UK
Transcripts of proceedings in the House of Commons Chamber are available three hours after they happen in Today’s Commons Debates.
Text of debate motion
The text of the motion moved by John Baron was as follows:
"That this House notes concerns about the Government’s defence reforms in relation to whether its proposals for the reserve forces will deliver either the anticipated cost savings or defence capability; and urges the Government to delay the disbandment of regular units until it is established that the Army Reserve plan is viable and cost-effective."
How the subject was selected
The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee following representations by John Baron, Jim Dobbin, David Nuttall, Mr Jim Cunningham and Mrs Mary Glindon at the Committee’s public meeting on the 8 October 2013.
- Parliament TV: Backbench Business Committee on 8 October 2013
- Uncorrected transcript of oral evidence heard on 8 October 2013
Backbench Business Committee
The Backbench Business Committee meets weekly on Tuesdays at 3pm to consider requests for debates from any backbench Members of Parliament on any subject, including those raised in e-petitions or national campaigns.
An MP must make a representation before the Committee for an e-petition or petition to be debated; e-petitions exceeding the Government's 100,000 signature threshold are not automatically allocated backbench time.
The Committee then has to decide how to allocate the limited Parliamentary time it has at its disposal. The Committee's meetings are always conducted in public and can be watched on Parliament TV.