HC Deb 12 January 1998 vol 304 cc127-8W
14. Angela Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Strategic Defence Review will examine the capacity for increased jointery in Britain's armed forces. [20209]

35. Mr. Bill Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Strategic Defence Review will examine the capacity for increased jointery in Britain's armed forces. [20230]

Mr. George Robertson

Enhanced joint-Service co-operation, as a means both of enhancing efficiency whilst maintaining military effectiveness, is one of the main themes of the Strategic Defence Review. A great deal of work is in hand to examine practical options to achieve it.

20. Sir George Young

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the factors underlying the delay in completing the Strategic Defence Review; and what consultations he has held with the Treasury. [20215]

28. Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in completing the Strategic Defence Review. [20223]

Mr. George Robertson

I refer the right hon. Member and the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 25 November 1997 to my hon. Friend, the Member for Walsall, South (Mr. George),Official Report, column 499–500.

HM Treasury and other Government Departments have been and will continue to be consulted throughout the Strategic Defence Review.

21. Mr. Keith Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will publish the foreign policy base line for the Strategic Defence Review. [20216]

Mr. George Robertson

In my speech to the House on 27 October 1997,Official Report, Columns 609–20, I outlined the emerging conclusions of the first phase of the Strategic Defence Review, which looked at the foreign and security policy framework. This work will form an important part of the Review White Paper which I envisage publishing in the first part of year.