§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the number of firms and employees who will be affected by the cut in projects and equipment resulting from the reduced number of ships, units and squadrons envisaged in the Defence White Paper.
§ Mr. MasonI cannot give a realistic estimate, but there will certainly be a big relief in the strain of Service demands on industry and on the economy generally, and much larger resources available for civil needs.
§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Defence what kind of development projects and research done in Government establishments and in industry he 300W estimates will be cut as a result of the £30 million reduction in the research and development programme envisaged in the Defence White Paper; and what Government establishments will be affected.
§ Mr. MasonThe cut will be spread across the Defence R. and D. programme. The implications for Government establishments will be made known when they have been fully worked out.