§ 2. Mr. Clemitsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence in formulating his defence procurement policies, what account he takes of employment consequences.
§ The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Frederick Mulley)Close attention is paid to the employment consequences of all defence expenditure, but the primary objective of defence procurement must be to ensure that the equipment needs of the Services are met in the most timely and cost-effective way.
§ Mr. ClemitsonDoes my right hon. Friend agree that those of us who advocate decreases in defence expenditure are as concerned about employment as those who advocate increased defence expenditure? Does he further agree that the American experience of relocating resources into non-defence uses and the suggestions put forward by the Lucas Aerospace shop stewards in this country give good cause for hoping that such a successful transfer of resources could take place?
§ Mr. MulleyI completely accept my hon. Friend's sincerity in desiring not to reduce employment. I must point out that the transfer of work from the defence to the civil area is difficult. If there are opportunities for additional work in the civil area to deal with the quite unacceptable level of unemployment, I know that my right hon. Friends will be concerned to take such opportunities. This is not a matter strictly falling within my responsibilities.
§ Mr. ViggersIs there any point in transferring the Services pay and records office to Glasgow, apart from transferring unemployment from Glasgow to other areas?
§ Mr. MulleyThe question of the dispersal of work from the Ministry of Defence, along with that from other Government Departments, was decided by the Government some time ago. I do not think that this leads to unemployment and I 1155 cannot see how the subject arises on this Question.
§ Mr. DalyellWhat will be the role, in matters of procurement, of the defence committee of the Scottish Assembly whose formation was anounced in the House of Lords yesterday?
§ Mr. MulleyWith great respect to my hon. Friend, I did not realise that the Assembly, which has not yet been elected, had had its committees selected for it. As my hon. Friend knows, the Assembly does not have a devolved power or duty in respect of defence. I cannot help my hon. Friend about what may or may not be the function of a committee that may or may not be brought into being.
§ Mr. ChurchillThe Secretary of State has on previous occasions admitted that no fewer than 218,000 jobs were to be lost as a result of the Labour Government's defence cuts. How far was this taken into account and how far were Labour Members below the Gangway consulted on this massive job destruction programme before it was embarked upon?
§ Mr. MulleyThe hon. Gentleman, as ever, is a little prone to exaggeration.
§ Mr. ChurchillThey are the right hon. Gentleman's figures.
§ Mr. MulleyNo Government would conceivably have gone through with the defence plans which the Government inherited dealing with forward expenditure. While employment is of paramount importance, we have, in the defence area, to tailor our defence procurement to the direct needs of the Services.