Thanks for the replies gents, it still doesn't explain the deafening silence from CDS, CAS and CNS nor the fact that it is this government which has made the policies which now mean that the armed forces are scattered around the world in the way that they are.
How on earth can the armed forces be expected to mount a "surge" of 4,000 additional troops to Afganistan in the summer without recognition of the need for additional resourses from the Treasury?
Hasn't anyone heard of the "straw" and its effect on the camel's back? The military are at breaking point as it is IMHO, and if it carries on like this we will never get back lost capabilities and the idea of projecting power via new super carriers is just futile and the "capability holidays" will become permanent. Is that really what we want long term?
MB