This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8554097.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Brown's Afghan pledge questioned Brown's Afghan pledge questioned
(30 minutes later)
The Conservatives have questioned Gordon Brown's announcement of 200 new patrol vehicles for Afghanistan, saying numbers may have been cut in half.The Conservatives have questioned Gordon Brown's announcement of 200 new patrol vehicles for Afghanistan, saying numbers may have been cut in half.
Defence spokesman Liam Fox said the MoD requested 400 replacements for Snatch Land Rovers and he wanted to know this had not been cut "on Treasury orders".Defence spokesman Liam Fox said the MoD requested 400 replacements for Snatch Land Rovers and he wanted to know this had not been cut "on Treasury orders".
It comes amid an ongoing row over Labour's funding of the military and Mr Brown's recent visit to Afghanistan.It comes amid an ongoing row over Labour's funding of the military and Mr Brown's recent visit to Afghanistan.
The MoD said the announcement referred to completely new vehicles.The MoD said the announcement referred to completely new vehicles.
'Political props''Political props'
The PM promised the new patrol vehicles for British troops, designed to give them better protection against roadside bombs than the existing Snatch, during a visit to Afghanistan on Saturday.The PM promised the new patrol vehicles for British troops, designed to give them better protection against roadside bombs than the existing Snatch, during a visit to Afghanistan on Saturday.
Mr Fox said he would not take the announcement at face value since the original tender had been for 400 vehicles.Mr Fox said he would not take the announcement at face value since the original tender had been for 400 vehicles.
"We have been waiting for years for replacements to Snatch Land Rovers," he told the BBC's Andrew Marr show."We have been waiting for years for replacements to Snatch Land Rovers," he told the BBC's Andrew Marr show.
"What happened to the other 200? Tomorrow in Parliament, I will be tabling questions to find out whether this is yet another cut on Treasury orders.""What happened to the other 200? Tomorrow in Parliament, I will be tabling questions to find out whether this is yet another cut on Treasury orders."
The MOD said the vehicles were new and being paid for by the Treasury - through the special reserve set aside for urgent operational requirements - and therefore not "eating into" the defence budget.The MOD said the vehicles were new and being paid for by the Treasury - through the special reserve set aside for urgent operational requirements - and therefore not "eating into" the defence budget.
I think the cynical thing to do is to wheel out people like John Major, to repeat his old complaints and criticisms and then to claim that somehow this is being principled Ed Balls, schools secretary
The Tories have been critical of Mr Brown's Afghan trip, which came a day after he appeared at the inquiry into the Iraq war and amid continued criticism about government support for defence.The Tories have been critical of Mr Brown's Afghan trip, which came a day after he appeared at the inquiry into the Iraq war and amid continued criticism about government support for defence.
Mr Brown has denied refusing any requests from the military while he was chancellor but former army chiefs have said this is "disingenuous" and overall, the military had been starved of resources.Mr Brown has denied refusing any requests from the military while he was chancellor but former army chiefs have said this is "disingenuous" and overall, the military had been starved of resources.
The troops - and the families of those who have perished - could be forgiven for believing the prime minister's visit is yet another political stunt Sir John Major
Mr Fox questioned the timing of Gordon Brown's visit, coming as it did soon after "brushing off" criticism of his support for the military.Mr Fox questioned the timing of Gordon Brown's visit, coming as it did soon after "brushing off" criticism of his support for the military.
"It is quite normal for the prime minister to visit [British troops] but Gordon Brown tends to pick his moments," he said."It is quite normal for the prime minister to visit [British troops] but Gordon Brown tends to pick his moments," he said.
Former prime minister Sir John Major has accused Gordon Brown of using British troops as "political props".Former prime minister Sir John Major has accused Gordon Brown of using British troops as "political props".
"Two years ago he did so on the eve of the election that never was and now he is doing so again on the eve of the election he cannot avoid," he said in a speech on Saturday."Two years ago he did so on the eve of the election that never was and now he is doing so again on the eve of the election he cannot avoid," he said in a speech on Saturday.
"Nine years and far too many fatalities later, the troops - and the families of those who have perished - could be forgiven for believing the prime minister's visit is yet another political stunt.""Nine years and far too many fatalities later, the troops - and the families of those who have perished - could be forgiven for believing the prime minister's visit is yet another political stunt."
'Right move''Right move'
The MoD says Mr Brown's visit had been planned for some time and that he had been to Afghanistan at a similar time in previous years.The MoD says Mr Brown's visit had been planned for some time and that he had been to Afghanistan at a similar time in previous years.
Education Secretary Ed Balls said it was "right" for Mr Brown to make his visit after rather than before his Iraq evidence. Schools Secretary Ed Balls said it was "right" for Mr Brown to make his visit after rather than before his Iraq evidence.
"I think the cynical thing to do is to wheel out people like John Major, to repeat his old complaints and criticisms and then to claim that somehow this is being principled," he said."I think the cynical thing to do is to wheel out people like John Major, to repeat his old complaints and criticisms and then to claim that somehow this is being principled," he said.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg told Sky News he backed Mr Brown's visit, arguing that he had a "constitutional duty" to show the UK's "collective sense of gratitude" to British troops for their efforts.Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg told Sky News he backed Mr Brown's visit, arguing that he had a "constitutional duty" to show the UK's "collective sense of gratitude" to British troops for their efforts.
During the trip, Mr Brown praised the "bravery, dedication and professionalism" of the 4,000 British troops involved in the opening phase of Operation Moshtarak, designed to push the Taliban out of territory in Helmand Province in the south of the country.During the trip, Mr Brown praised the "bravery, dedication and professionalism" of the 4,000 British troops involved in the opening phase of Operation Moshtarak, designed to push the Taliban out of territory in Helmand Province in the south of the country.