Conclusions and recommendations
1. In
general, we have found the MoD efficient and, for the most part,
helpful, in providing documents which we have asked for, but perhaps
less good at proactively providing information that is likely
to be of interest to us. (Paragraph 18)
2. We recommend that
the Liaison Committee reconsider its system for identifying reports
for debate on Estimates Days. The House of Commons tends to forget
that its power to grant, or to deny, the Government's requests
for resources represents a formidable control over the Executive.
(Paragraph 21)
3. The MoD does not
at present inform us of major appointments, and we recommend that
in future it should do so. (Paragraph 37)
4. We intend to run
further webfora in 2007, as we believe it is a useful way of obtaining
the personal views of those who may not wish to contribute formal
evidence to our inquiries. We believe it is also a useful way
of engaging public interest in our inquiries and of furthering
well-informed debate on defence matters. (Paragraph 57)
5. Visiting our troops
wherever they are deployed is crucial to our understanding of
the conditions in which they are required to serve. (Paragraph
64)
6. We fully understand
the Government Whips' interest in ensuring the delivery of the
Government's programme—and the parallel interest of the
Opposition Whips in ensuring that the Government is effectively
challenged—but we believe that both should act more flexibly,
taking into account the national interest in ensuring that members
of the UK's national parliament engage fully in the European political
process. (Paragraph 69)
7. For the future,
we would hope that the Government's responses will deal more fully
with the whole argument contained in the report, and not restrict
themselves to the bold recommendations and conclusions; and it
would be pleasing if they could be more generous in acknowledging
where our inquiries have contributed to changes in Government
policy. (Paragraph 74)
8. In general, we
believe that a constructive relationship has existed between the
Committee and the Department this Parliament, which we hope will
continue in the Sessions ahead. We will not hesitate to criticise
the Department when this is merited, but will also give praise
where it is due. (Paragraph 78)
| 
