HC Deb 07 July 1986 vol 101 cc89-90W
Mr. Wareing

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with allies in Europe about the strategic defence initiative.

Mr. Lee

My right hon. Friend has had a number of meetings with European colleagues this year, at which a wide variety of subjects of mutual defence interest including strategic defence initiative were discussed. Communiqués of these meetings have been issued, where appropriate, and copies of these have been placed in the Library.

Mr. Viggers

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the benefits to the United Kingdom of participation in the strategic defence initiative.

Mr. Lee

There will be a certain level of financial benefit through United States-funded work in the SDI research programme. The principal economic benefit will, however, be indirect through the development of the national technology base both in terms of knowhow and the level of participation and experience of professional personnel. Exploitation of this enhanced potential offers prospects to advance the capabilities and make our industries more competitive in the export field both in defence and civil programmes. A further very real benefit of British participation is that scientists, engineers and other specialists who might otherwise have been tempted to move to the United States to carry out work in the SDI research programme, will remain in the United Kingdom to carry out the work with the resulting benefit that that will bring.

Mr. Viggers

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the benefits to employment in the United Kingdom of participation in the strategic defence initiative.

Mr. Lee

At this early stage of British participation in the SDI research programme it is difficult to predict with any certainty the extent of the effect that such participation might have on employment in the United Kingdom. There are, however, encouraging signs indicating that British involvement in the programme will occur on a progressive scale. With that prospect the effect on employment can only be a positive one.