Written answers

Monday, 3 July 2006

Oral Answers to Questions — Church Commissioners
British Forces (Afghanistan)

Robert Key (Salisbury, Conservative)
If the Minister agrees with me that the Treasury's £1 billion over three years for this operation is not enough, will he assure the House and the thousands of military families throughout the country that he will not hesitate to seek more funds with which to provide whatever the military need? The future Panther vehicle must be the answer to many of the Army's needs in the current circumstances. Only seven are being tried out at present, but 400 are due to come on-stream next year. Will we definitely have 400 Panther vehicles next year, or will that slip?

Tom Watson (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Veterans), Ministry of Defence)
Let me just say to the hon. Gentleman that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence is a former Chief Secretary to the Treasury and very close to the Chancellor, and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman's points are well made.