HC Deb 14 January 1986 vol 89 cc560-1W
13. Mr. Bruce

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what changes will be made in the defence budget over the next five years as a result of British participation in the strategic defence initiative.

Mr. Younger

None. The provision for defence expenditure up to 1988–89 was given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his autumn statement on 12 November.

22. Mr. Boyes

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts have been created to date for British institutions through the activities of the strategic defence initiative participation office.

26. Mr. John Mark Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of procurement contracts which may be available to the west midlands in the take-up of the United Kingdom's strategic defence initiative responsibilities; and if he will make a statement.

30. Mr. Hirst

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest estimate of the value of research contracts which could accrue to the United Kingdom from the strategic defence initiative research programme.

Mr. Norman Lamont

Since the formal agreement between the United States and United Kingdom Governments on British participation in SDI research was only concluded on 6 December 1985 it would be premature to make such an assessment. We are confident, however, that the terms of the agreement will provide for substantial British participation.

29. Sir Russell Johnston

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what evaluation his Department has made of the feasibility of the strategic defence initiative as a defence system.

Mr. Younger

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Meadowcroft).

Mr. Wallace

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what defence technology of use to Britain he expects to obtain from United Kingdom participation in the strategic defence initiative.

Mr. Norman Lamont

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Defence said in this House on 9 December 1985, at column 623.

Mr. Ashdown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implications of United Kingdom participation in strategic defence initiative research for United Kingdom research into emerging technologies with application for conventional defence.

Mr. Lee

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Defence said in the House on 9 December 1985, at columns 623–24.

Mr. Simon Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what changes will be made in the defence budget over the next five years as a result of British participation in the strategic defence initiative.

Mr. Norman Lamont

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) earlier.

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