§ Mr. Marlandasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are involved in the manufacture of arms in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. PattieIn 1980–81, the latest period for which figures are available, the equipment programme of the United Kingdom Services sustained about 240, 000 jobs directly in the United Kingdom defence industries, and about 190, 000 jobs indirectly in industry as a whole. Exports of defence equipment are reckoned to have sustained a further 140, 000 jobs, both direct and indirect. The total number of jobs provided in 1980–81 through the manufacture of defence equipment is therefore of the order of 570, 000.