§ 17. Mr. Bill O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the latest defence estimates in respect of British merchant shipping for defence purposes. [26111]
§ Mr. SpellarCurrent defence estimates on the availability of British merchant shipping indicate that there are, in general, sufficient militarily useful vessels for perceived defence needs. The position will, of course, be reassessed following the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review.