HC Deb 15 January 1974 vol 867 cc28-9W
Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the implications for facilities and development plans in Royal Naval dockyards of the recent cuts in defence spending.

Mr. Buck

A number of projects will necessarily be curtailed or deferred, but I am not yet able to give details. Every effort will be made in consultation with the Property Services Agency of the Department of the Environment to minimise the effects of such changes to the programme.

Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the implications for recruiting and for pay and conditions of service for Service men of the recent cuts in defence spending.

Mr. Younger

The factors which affect recruiting are complex and I do not expect that the recent cuts in defence spending will be significant in this respect. These cuts will not affect pay and conditions of service generally, but will slow down the rate at which we can make improvements in accommodation standards.

Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement detailing the economies to be made in the British defence programme following the recent cuts in public expenditure.

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the public spending cuts will have on his Department's capital and other expenditure in Scotland.

Dame Joan Vickers

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the cuts in defence expenditure in Her Majesty's establishments in the city of Plymouth and surrounding areas, including Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

The cuts will be provided for in the Defence Estimates, but the examination of their effect, in detail, on the defence programme is not yet completed.