James Cartlidge

James Cartlidge

Conservative — South Suffolk

Speaking in the House of Commons on 10 February 2025

Debate

Defence Spending

Contribution

I thought that it would benefit the House to know that, given the importance of secure communications. I turn to my question, which involves secure communications. It says everything about the Government’s priorities that they are delaying increasing defence spending to 2.5%, but accelerating their terrible Chagos deal, at a cost of up to £18 billion. Last week, the Prime Minister justified the deal by stating that without it, “the base cannot operate in practical terms as it should”. No. 10 later briefed that that was a reference to satellite links. Is the Secretary of State seriously suggesting that there is an operational threat to US and UK military satellite communications at Diego Garcia?

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