Role reversal as Conservatives on the defensive over helicopters

British Army Apache Longbow helicopters are supporting troops in Afghanistan (Photo: Heathcliff O'Malley)

I should have done this last night, but time was against me. Yesterday's defence questions included a moment of pure comedy as Peter Luff, the defence procurement minister, faced questions about the number of helicopters the Government is making available to commanders in Afghanistan.

Here's the full extract from Hansard:

Bob Ainsworth: Can the Minister tell us why the Government have delayed the deployment of the new Chinook helicopters ordered last December?

Peter Luff: I understand why the right hon. Gentleman wants to make mischief on this particular issue, but he is confusing two separate issues. Commanders on the ground will always welcome enhanced helicopter capability-of course they will-and we will do what we can to deliver it. However, military commanders have confirmed that they have the helicopters they need to carry out the tasks that they have been given. Since November 2006, helicopter availability has increased considerably- by 140%-and more Chinook mark 3s will be available for deployment in the months ahead. These kinds of criticisms from those on the Labour Benches would be better made if they had not left us with this wretched £38 billion overspend.

My bold, indicating the weasly line that had most MPs sniggering. That's precisely what Labour ministers used to say when Tory defence spokesmen accused them of, er, failing to send enough helicopters to Afghanistan.

As Julian Brazier, a Conservative backbencher, noted dryly when he rose to follow Mr Luff: The House will have noticed a certain role reversal just then.