I enjoy a permanent seat on the EU naughty step.

This was reaffirmed by my contribution at the Berlin Security Conference on Tuesday which promoted NATO and cautioned against extending the European Union project further into defence.

This week we were treated to the long awaited Scottish Nationalist white paper outlining the thin case for independence.

It turns out to be a wish list without a price list.

This was Mr Alex Salmond’s big opportunity to present his case coolly and logically to Scottish voters in response to the Westminster government’s thoughtful argument in favour of the Union.

He fluffed it.

For starters, the Nationalists have failed to grasp that so much in their plans rely on buy-in by others – the rest of the UK, EU, NATO and so on.

So far the signs are these third parties are unlikely to simply and obligingly fall in line with Mr Salmond’s masterplan, such as it is.

I’m looking forward to the Army that we’ve billetted in Germany all these years relocating back to Britain by the end of the decade.

The garrisons on Salisbury Plain will take much of it which is great for the Army and for Wiltshire. I’m pleased with the way the military and Wiltshire Council are working together to ensure the move is as smooth as can be and, indeed, with the co-operation we’re enjoying with the German authorities who are sad to see us go.

On Friday we have the third outing of James Wharton’s Bill on the EU Referendum which I’m supporting.

My ministerial job requires me to spend a great deal of time in European capitals at the moment, particularly Brussels, Berlin and Paris, each of which have their charms. It is perfectly possible to love and admire Europe whilst harbouring a deep and abiding scepticism of the EU.

We should not conflate the two.