Engagements

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 15 July 2009.

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Photo of David Cameron David Cameron Leader of HM Official Opposition, Leader of the Conservative Party 11:30, 15 July 2009

The Prime Minister is right that our armed forces and their families are watching this debate, but on this issue they expect responsible questions to hold the Government to account and proper answers from the Government. The Prime Minister mentions the international helicopter fund. Will he accept that so far-it was announced 16 months ago-it has not yet added one single helicopter? The public will find it hard to understand why as a country we have 500 helicopters, yet fewer than 30 of them are in Afghanistan. Let me take one group specifically: why is it that only one of the eight Chinooks that were delivered in 2001 at great cost is now ready? Why has there not been greater urgency to deliver? That is a legitimate question, and it requires a proper answer.