HC Deb 17 November 1981 vol 13 cc84-5W
Mr. Henderson

asked the Prime Minister if she will give an estimate of the number of jobs directly and indirectly dependent on United States bases in the United Kingdom.

The Prime Minister

There are probably 25,000 or more jobs in the United Kingdom arising directly or indirectly from the presence of United States bases here. This is, of course, a very considerable side benefit of the presence of these bases, but our primary purpose in providing military facilities for the United States forces is to maintain the strength and the deterrent value of the North Atlantic Alliance. This is the cornerstone of our defence policy.