Peter
Viggers, MP for the Gosport constituency, said today:
“I understand
that the Secretary of State for Defence is intending to
make a statement in the House of Commons
on Friday, 16th July on the subject of Defence spending.
It is deplorable that the Secretary of State has chosen
to make such a statement on a Friday. This is a day when
Members of Parliament normally have constituency engagements.
I have a speech, a reception which I am hosting, and two
other functions in the Gosport constituency on Friday and
will not be able to attend at the House of Commons.
It is broadly
expected that the Secretary of State will announce sweeping
cuts in manpower and equipment when he
makes his statement. It is absolutely unacceptable that the
Government should duck its normal accountability by avoiding
normal Parliamentary scrutiny in this way.” |
