HC Deb 21 July 1981 vol 9 cc91-2W
20. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give an estimate of the number of jobs that will be lost in Scotland due to the defence cuts; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Pattie

Defence expenditure has not been cut. It is planned to grow at 3 per cent. in real terms in each of the next four years. The changes in emphasis that we have made within the expanded budget are designed to enhance the Armed Forces' capability and will lead to increases in employment in some areas, and reductions in job opportunities in other areas. It is, however, too soon to say what the precise overall effect will be in any particular area of the country.

25. Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the effects of the defence review on his Department's establishments in Hull and North Humberside.

Mr. Pattie

It will be some considerable time before the effects on particular areas of the overhead and support reductions arising from the defence review will be known.

26. Mr. Trippier

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he next intends to meet his counterparts in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to discuss the implementation of his defence review.

Mr. Nott

The details of our decisions on the defence programme will be worked through in accordance with normal Alliance planning procedures. These procedures involve NATO Defence Ministers' consideration of a report on all nations' defence contributions, and this is expected to take place at a meeting of the Defence Planning Committee later this year.