§ 13. Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the effect on Britain's contribution to peacekeeping operations around the world of reducing United Kingdom defence spending to the European average. [12039]
§ Mr. PortilloIf any Government were to reduce spending to the European average of 2.3 per cent. of gross domestic product, they would be forced to cut spending on defence by more than £4.5 billion. That would severely undermine our capacity to undertake operations of any kind.
§ Mr. WatersonDoes my right hon. Friend agree that it is incredible hypocrisy for Opposition Members on one hand to support, by and large, peacekeeping operations and on the other to call for cuts that would be the equivalent of all 40 infantry battalions?
§ Mr. PortilloEvery Labour Government increase taxes. Every Labour Government dream up new ways of spending public money and therefore every Labour Government are subject to intense pressure from their Back Benchers to cut defence spending. That is ultimately why we know we cannot trust the Labour party on defence.