Blair challenged on defence
Tony Blair has been sharply challenged by the opposition leaders on his defence policy during this lunchtime’s Prime Minister’s Question Time.
Conservative Party leader Michael Howard, sought to focus on the shake-up of the British Army, and accused the Prime Minister of planning to cut the size of the army.
He demanded that the Prime Minister correct a statement made to the House last week that the size of the Army wouldn’t be reduced – citing a statement from the Chief of the General Staff which allegedly suggested the contrary.
Hitting back, Tony Blair said the “numbers employed in the armed forces overall is not going to fall”. He said that the Strategic Defence Review, however, requires a reconfiguration of spending on defence capabilities, towards areas such as logistics, so that though there will be “fewer employed in some areas”, these will be compensated for by increases in other areas.
Mr Blair, however, did not specify which those areas of lesser employment would be.
Seizing on the answer, Mr Howard crowed that “I think we’ve got an admission from the prime minister that his answer last week was wrong”, and accused the Government of planning to cut the Army by more than 6000 personnel.
The Conservative leader added: “In a dangerous world we need stronger forces, and a Prime Minister that gives straight answers”.
Returning to the issue, Mr Blair sought to turn the fire on the Opposition, highlighting the Shadow Chancellor’s warning that every budget “except schools and hospitals will be frozen in cash terms” if the Conservatives came to power, he demanded to know how this sat with the Conservative defence spokesman’s suggestion that spending would rise – a statement greeted by jeers and protest from the Tory benches.
Defence was also on the mind of the Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy, but this time the Black Watch in Iraq. It was confirmed this morning that the Black Watch are on the move to take over from American forces south of Baghdad.
Mr Kennedy asked the Prime Minister to confirm that that the Black Watch will be back in the UK by Christmas – an assurance that the Prime Minister was happy to give. However, Mr Kennedy also sought an answer on whether this deployment would be the last in which UK troops cover for American forces.
On this, Mr Blair was more uncertain, saying: “I can’t commit myself – I can’t guarantee that” though he did say “I don’t believe there will be a requirement for other troops”.
As to whether he has an assurance from the US government that they would replace the Black Watch regiment, Mr Blair said he had not discussed the specific issue with the US government.
He then called for MPs to be “immensely proud” of the efforts of UK troops in ensuring the January elections in Iraq go ahead. Any failure for this to happen would be the “biggest blow for freedom, prosperity for that country”, said the Prime Minister.
