§ 13. Mr. DuffyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the findings of the "Options for Change" inquiry.
§ Mr. Tom KingI appreciate the keen interest, particularly in the armed services themselves, in the progress of our work which is proceeding against the background of the changing international situation and similar studies among our allies. I advised the House on 18 June of the essential elements in our study of "Options for Change". I am not yet in a position to go further.
§ Mr. DuffyBefore publishing those findings, will the Secretary of State assure the House that he will have given due weight to a service dividend as well as a peace dividend?
§ Mr. KingYes, Sir. I have not used the word "findings" because we hope to come forward with proposals. I hope that there will be an opportunity for wider consultation. Obviously this is an important time for the armed services. We must take account of the interests of the armed services and all those who serve in them as well as those involved in defence generally.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettWhat does my right hon. Friend think of the morality of those who want to spend the peace dividend but refuse the investment in nuclear weapons which makes that dividend possible?
§ Mr. KingI do not know whether my hon. Friend was referring to the Opposition. At this very moment, the Leader of the Opposition is trying to persuade people in Washington that the unilateralist views shared by many Opposition Members do not really exist.