§ 15. Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what measures have been taken to reduce spending in Her Majesty's Forces in the areas of training, mobility and catering.
§ Mr. SpeedRestrictions have been placed on training and mobility in the current financial year as part of the measures to restrain cash spending. A study of the implications of adopting contract catering at some establishments is being carried out.
§ 19. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated outturn cost of defence for the current year; and how the figure compares with the previous two years.
§ Mr. NottThe latest forecasts indicate that defence spending in 1980–81 is likely to be in the order of £11,400 million at current prices. The outturns for 1978–79 and 1979–80 were £7,455 million and £9,178 million respectively.
22. Mr. loan Evansasked the Secretary of State for defence what further cuts in defence expenditure are proposed.
§ Mr. NottThe Government's plans for future defence expenditure remain as set out in my statement on 20 January.
§ 23. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he intends to take to keep within cash limits.
§ Mr. NottI expect an overspend on the 1980–81 cash limit. Measures to keep this to a minimum include a continuing severe restraint on new commitments and a reduction in levels of activity by the Armed Forces.