§ Mr. Speedasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the reduction in or cancellation of planned training programmes, exercises and overseas visits for each of the Services over the past 12 months.
§ Mr. BlakerPlanned training, exercises and visits programmes are inevitably subject to modification during the course of a year. In particular, in the last year the need to make financial savings has resulted in a number of reductions and cancellations in the programme. However, every effort has been made to maintain the essential operational commitments of the Services.