§ 35. Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, having regard to the increase in the last four years of 167 per cent. in the numbers unemployed to the present figure of 1,446,000, he will reconsider his policy of defence cuts, under which it is expected that a further 35,000 job opportunities in the defence industries will be lost by 1979, as stated 622W in his answer to the hon. Member for Burton (Mr. Lawrence) on 4th July 1978.
§ Mr. MulleyOur plans for future defence expenditure provide for a real 3 per cent. increase in 1979–80 over the previously-planned level for 1978–79 and, subject to review in the light of our economic circumstances, for a further real 3 per cent. increase in 1980–81. The actual level of direct employment in the defence industries, which has remained fairly constant at around 200,000 since 1975, should therefore remain at this mark, or even rise a little, during the next few years. The figure for lost job opportunities in the defence industries, referred to in the Answer given to the hon. Member for Burton on 4th July 1978, is based on a comparison between our currently planned defence equipment programme and the pre-defence review programme planned for 1979.