Speeches by Roome.

“As a former council leader, I know the excitement that comes from the Government saying that they are going to invest in a town you are presiding over and thinking that you are going to get all this money, and it is going to create great opportunities. How did you determine as a board what your first priorities were go…”

“How many transient people with those skills do you think will come into Barrow, in addition to the existing population?”

“I notice that you identified better healthcare provision as one of your high-level aims, at a time when services are being reduced at Furness general hospital. How do you prioritise to get cross-Government liaison working so that you work as one team within central Government, as well as within local government?”

“Would you explain a bit more about how you manage those demands for funding? Have you found that the funding has been there when you want it?”

“Taking it back a level, can you describe to the Committee what Team Barrow is and who forms that partnership? Also, what are your eye-level aims and objectives for Team Barrow?”

“In rural areas like my constituency, private renting is very expensive and is unaffordable to many. What is the Minister doing to ensure that more housing is available at social rent rather than market rent, which people can simply not afford?”

“Right. Given the importance of what AUKUS aims to deliver, one of the messages we picked up, particularly from people in Australia, was that we should have your post extended due to your knowledge and because it is good to have someone with that drive within the United Kingdom. They were impressed by your appointment, …”

“To go back to the main governance structure, the FCDO, DESNZ and MoD are involved. The MoD tells us that it put in place more robust and centralised governance arrangements for AUKUS following your review. Is there now an understanding across Whitehall that AUKUS should be seen as a national endeavour, rather than as a…”

“Have you any concerns about trilateral governance?”

“What effect do you think governance has in defence industry manufacturing regarding the lack of agreement, particularly on pillar 2 and what those areas should be?”

“Sophie Gaston, in her written evidence to the Committee, was concerned about the Defence Secretary standing in for the Prime Minister, and saying basically that the Prime Minister should be involved all the time, because of the particular leadership that AUKUS needs to bring everyone together. What is your experience o…”

“Are you confident of sufficient drive and determination at the highest levels of Government to deliver both pillars 1 and 2 of AUKUS?”

“For the record, Sir Stephen, when is your appointment due to finish?”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship today, Ms Lewell. Earlier today, I was at the Parkinson’s event in the Palace, and I spoke to a surgeon who treats Parkinson’s patients every week. He told me that if more people were seen earlier, he could ensure better outcomes. Does the hon. Member agree that this ba…”

“There have been four major attempts to reform defence, in 1946, 1958, 1963 and 1984. Then there was Lord Levene’s report, which I know you did an analysis of, Dr Curtis. You talked about worries over poor implementation and particularly about how “the single Services had cherry picked those parts of the recommendations…”

“Mr Savill, why is Defence reform so challenging?”

“Do you think that changes to the organisational structure are needed? I come back to what Emma Lewell said about the culture within the Ministry, and the aspect of, “This job has always existed and that is where I’m moving to next. That is my line of promotion and progression.” Do you think that sometimes they are prot…”

“It is a privilege to be able to say even a few words about the vital contribution our armed forces continue to make to the act of remembrance. Every veteran deserves to have their service recognised, and it is a great credit to communities across the country that people from all walks of life still give generously and …”

“Given that, what is your frustration around the MoD not giving you the responses you need now, after all this time?”

“Any former Prime Ministers?”