Rayleigh and Wickford MP and Former Armed Forces Minister, Mark Francois, has just been elected to serve on the prestigious House of Commons Defence Select Committee. The Rayleigh MP was one of ten candidates for three places on the committee, which are elected by fellow MPs.
The role of the Defence Select Committee is to oversee and scrutinise the workings of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The committee is made up of eleven members with MPs drawn from across the political spectrum. The committee holds hearings and evidence sessions at which witnesses from the MOD, the Armed Forces and Industry, plus academics and others give evidence relating to the work of the Ministry of Defence.
Speaking about his election to the Defence Select Committee Mark said:
“I am absolutely delighted and feel privileged to be elected to serve on the House of Commons Defence Select Committee. I have always had a strong interest in defence matters since I was a boy and as a former Minister in the MOD, I believe I can bring experience of the workings of the Department, which will be helpful to the committee in its role of scrutinising the very important work which is undertaken by our Armed Forces on our behalf. I have always believed that the first duty of Government is the Defence of the Realm and I will keep that strongly in mind as I serve on this committee in the future.”