Member

I also thank the Committee for its general support for the direction of the strategic defence review. Obviously, there are questions and there is a need for us to emphasise particular parts of that, not least the reserves. I shall ensure that the various points that the noble Lord, Lord Lancaster, made with respect to the reserves are taken up—in particular, his request to try to simplify some of the issues with respect to that. I have told him and the Committee about the importance of homeland defence. The reserves will play an essential part in that, and we will have to discuss and debate how that is actually done.