Bodies excluded from the restrictions on public sector exit payments

Part of Enterprise Bill [Lords] – in the House of Commons at 3:00 pm on 8 March 2016.

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Photo of Gerald Howarth Gerald Howarth Conservative, Aldershot 3:00, 8 March 2016

I have enormous respect for my right hon. Friend and I understand his point, but the place I represent is the home of the British Army, as well as the birthplace of British aviation, and it is steeped in technology. I know these people—I did so when I was a Defence Minister, as I have throughout my constituency experience in Aldershot—and I value them. I am afraid that I think they are rather special and that they have been neglected. I have specifically pointed out that their grades have not been made up to MOD grades, because they are busy in their laboratories doing what they like doing—inventing and helping to protect us all—so I will not resile from singling them out. My hon. Friend is entirely right to say that I am doing so, but I hope he will accept my apology for that.