Speeches by Twigg.

“So it is not automatic if a trainer engaged in sexual banter with a trainee.”

“I do not mean to be rude, but we are limited for time. We have got it clear that there is still not a clear guide and that it is not automatic. Admiral, what about the Navy?”

“How many have been discharged in the Navy?”

“When was that?”

“Minister, coming back to your announcement today about the central violence against women and girls taskforce, which aims to drive cultural improvements, you are going to lead that. Who is leading each of the services and at what rank?”

“What rank will lead each service?”

“I get your level. I am talking about the services.”

“I may be confused and perhaps it is a shortcoming on my part.”

“Sorry, but I want to be specific. There must be somebody who you want to drive this for each single service to work together as part of your taskforce, so I am asking at what level.”

“Can I just ask each chief, just for the record, how many victims of sexual harassment and abuse you have met in the last 12 months?”

“It needs a whole-government approach and it means a buy-in from the Cabinet down, and that has not happened so far.”

“If they do not do it to the extent that is intended? That is my question.”

“Order. A lot of Members wish to speak and I will begin to call the Front Benchers no later than eight minutes past 5, so at the moment we are looking at roughly two minutes for each speech, but it may even be less than that. I will not waste any more time—I call Jim Shannon.”

“Order. I will extend the time limit to two and a half minutes. I will leave it as voluntary, but if hon. Members do not keep to it I will impose it.”

“The two Opposition spokespeople will have five minutes each. The Minister will have 10 minutes, and there will be a minute or two for the hon. Member for Mansfield (Steve Yemm) to wind up.”

“Order. I remind the Minister that I want to call the hon. Member for Mansfield at 5.28 pm.”

“I remind Members that interventions should be brief.”

“What are the shortcomings in the covenants and what particularly has prompted you to want to update the law?”

“You change the law and what if they then do not do it? What sanctions are going to be put in place?”

“You are saying that they have not been implementing it.”