§ 25. Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of UK defence expenditure on the Scottish economy. [87539]
§ Dr. ReidOn 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.