Nov 09. Defence Committee: Publication of Government Responses. Government Responses to the Defence Committee’s 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th Special Reports of Session 2008/09 were published as indicated:
* 2 Nov 09: Defence Support Group, as HC 984 for £4:50.
* 3 Nov 09: Service Complaints Commissioner, as HC 985 for £3:00.
* 4 Nov 09: Main Estimates 2009/10, as HC 986 for £3:00.
* 5 Nov 09: Russia: a new confrontation?, as HC 987 for £6:00.
Comment: On 22 Jun 09, the Committee published a Report on the ‘Defence Support Group’ (HC 120) which was formed from a merger between the Army Base Repair Organisation (ABRO) and the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA). The Committee’s Report on ‘Russia’ (HC 276) is based on the premise that: “Russia does not currently pose a direct threat to UK homeland security, nor is likely to do so in the near future.”.
Defence Committee: Evidence from Defence Secretary
The Committee is due to take evidence from the Defence Secretary at 16.00hrs on 10 Nov 09 in the Grimond Room, Portcullis House. The Armed Forces’ readiness and the forthcoming Green Paper are on the agenda. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 10/42, 09 Nov 09)
Nov 09. Defence Committee. Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts Readiness and Recuperation of the Armed Forces & The Green Paper. On Tuesday 24 November 2009, the Committee will take evidence from the Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth MP, Secretary of State for Defence, at 10.30 am in Committee Room 6, Palace of Westminster (room likely to change). During the first part of the session, the Committee will take evidence on its inquiry into MoD Annual Report and Accounts. The Committee will further take evidence from the Secretary of State for Defence and Rear Admiral Alan Richards, Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Strategy & Plans), MoD, on its inquiry into the readiness and recuperation of the Armed Forces. The Committee will also use this session to explore the Green Paper process which is expected to lead up to a Strategic Defence Review in 2010.