HC Deb 14 December 1999 vol 341 cc128-9W
18. Mrs. McKenna

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact on the Scottish economy of the UK Government's defence procurement policies. [101236]

Dr. Reid

On the basis of the most recent figures available, defence expenditure in Scotland at approximately £1.9 billion supports, directly and indirectly, some 55,000 jobs. Clearly defence expenditure is both substantial and important to the Scottish economy.