§ Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, further to table 6 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates", what reductions in the level of United698W Kingdom equipment holdings have been announced by his Department subsequent to his statement on "Options for Change"; and if he will list them.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonSince my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary's statement last July, there has been only one announcement affecting CFE-declared equipment numbers—that by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement on 21 June regarding the replacement of Chieftain main battle tanks (Official Report, columns 606–08).
§ Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, further to table 4 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates", what reductions in United Kingdom equipment holdings already announced were required in order to comply with the ceilings imposed by the CFE treaty.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe necessary reductions will be completed within 40 months of the treaty's coming into force, as specified in the treaty.
§ Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, further to table 4 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates", what is the percentage reduction in total holdings of the United Kingdom's treaty-limited equipment required under the conventional forces in Europe treaty.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonIn accordance with the table, the United Kingdom has a liability to reduce its holdings of tanks by 15.3 per cent., and its armoured combat vehicles by 0.5 per cent. The United Kingdom ceiling for artillery pieces matches the declaration. For all other equipments (i.e. combat aircraft and attack helicopters), current holdings are below the ceilings.