HC Deb 17 March 1981 vol 1 c87W
37. Mr. Murphy

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many jobs are now dependent on defence industries.

Mr. Pattie

The number of direct job opportunities generated in United Kingdom industry by the production of military equipment for MOD use and for export is estimated to have been about 300,000 in 1979–80, the latest period for which data are available. A further 250,000 job opportunities are estimated to have been generated indirectly in industries which are subcontractors and suppliers to the defence industries.