§ Mr. Banksasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the proportion of the cuts in defence expenditure over the past 267W year attributable to a reduction in commitments outside NATO.
§ Mr. MasonExpenditure outside NATO was cut substantially in the Defence Review. Of the cuts announced subsequently, virtually all have been applied to support areas and will not affect our front-line NATO capability.
§ Mr. Banksasked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the White Paper, Command Paper No. 6432 will affect, directly or indirectly, existing operational capabilities.
§ Mr. MasonCommand Paper No. 6432 gives details of the major new equipment projects for all three Services and the improvements which will maintain or enhance the operational capabilities of existing equipment. It also explains that the savings on the defence budget stemming from the PESC exercise will be concentrated upon those areas of support which are least associated with front-line units; the effect on front line capability will therefore be minimal.