§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the objectives of his Department's policies for the rest of this Parliament.
§ Mr. YoungerThe main objective of British defence policy is the maintenance of national security and peace with freedom and justice. We aim to achieve this by continuing to play a full and active part in the North Atlantic Alliance so as to contribute to collective deterrence against aggression; and by promoting peace and stability elsewhere in the world. We intend to continue to enhance the capability of the United Kingdom's Armed Forces; encourage the achievement of verifiable arms control agreements; play a full part in organisations for European defence co-operation; pursue efficiency and value for money in defence expenditure, including the promotion of competition and international collaboration in equipment procurement; and rationalise and further contract-out support activities in order to release more resources for the front line.