§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will explain the functions and duties of his Department's defence arms control unit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyI refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Thomas) on 4 June 1985 at column 138.
§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the current number of staff and the annual expenditure of his Department's defence arms control unit in each year since 1979.
§ Mr. StanleyThe defence arms control unit was formed on 2 January 1985. Since that date, and currently, it has consisted of 13 posts. In 1985–86 it cost £466,000 at current prices. It is expected to cost about the same for the present financial year.