HC Deb 19 March 1991 vol 188 cc154-5
12. Mr. Adley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what lessons his Department has learnt from the Gulf war.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

We are considering the outcome of the campaign and the conclusions to be drawn from it, but it is too early to say how the results of the work might be made public.

Mr. Adley

Having listened to the exchanges of the past half hour, my hon. Friend will understand why I have decided to change my supplementary question somewhat. Does he agree that the views expressed by not only Labour Back-Benchers but Opposition Front-Bench spokesmen make it clear that, if by any awful mischance, Britain ever found itself dependent on Ministers in a Labour Government for the defence of the realm, it would be wise at least to order a large supply of white flags?

Mr. Hamilton

There is no doubt whatever that if, by some misfortune, the Labour party won the next election, our defence capability would be reduced drastically. In the light of recent experience, that would be a great mistake.

Mr. Strang

Does the Minister accept that whatever lessons are to be learnt from the Gulf, they will not alter the main priority of our defence budget, which is to maintain the defence of these islands? In that context, will he reaffirm the Government's commitment to the important role that the European fighter aircraft will play as a defensive conventional war plane? Will he take every opportunity in the years ahead to urge the continued support of the three other European partners in the project?

Mr. Hamilton

We shall continue to urge our European partners to support the EFA. Our commitment to it is total. There can be no question about that. Not only conventional weapons have an important role; nuclear weapons have also done much to defend Europe in the past. They should continue to do so and Britain should continue to have its own independent deterrent. I am sad that so many people on the Opposition Benches believe that we should negotiate it away.