Ministry of Defence: Sir Michael Jackson's Comments

Lord Dykes
asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their response to the remarks about Ministry of Defence support for the Army made by the former Chief of the General Staff, Sir Michael Jackson, on 6 December. [HL677]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson)
Her Majesty's Government welcome General Jackson's continued support on such important defence issues as our ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the maintenance of our nuclear deterrent.

As General Jackson said, the Ministry of Defence is both a Department of State and the supreme headquarters of the Armed Forces. It is impossible to draw a clear divide between these two overlapping roles, with military and civilian personnel working together side-by-side. Everybody at the Ministry of Defence shares a common purpose in contributing to operational effectiveness, and is fully committed to supporting our service men and women, and their families.

Where we can improve our support we will always do so.