Harriett Baldwin welcomes the Secretary of State for Defence’s statement on eliminating the £38 billion black hole and balancing the defence budget. Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con): In reaching this historic milestone—eliminating the £38 billion black hole—did the Secretary of State receive any submissions at all from the Labour party? Mr Hammond: That is an interesting question, because the Labour party’s position is to deny that there was a £38 billion black hole. It is rather helpful to us that we have in our possession a letter from the right hon. Member for East Renfrewshire to the Leader of the Opposition, setting out his view that the £38 billion black hole was Labour’s greatest weakness and vulnerability when it came to defence. | Hansard