HC Deb 05 March 1996 vol 273 cc112-3W
14. Mr. Congdon

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British jobs are sustained by the defence industry; and if he will make a statement. [16851]

16. Mr. David Martin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the level of employment in the defence industry in the United Kingdom. [16855]

Mr. Arbuthnot

The most recent figures available are for 1993–94, when an estimated 395,000 UK jobs depend on defence expenditure. About 80 per cent. of these— 315,000—were sustained by my Department's spending, on both equipment and non-equipment items; the other 20 per cent. —80,000—depended on defence exports.