§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current assessment of the threat to United Kingdom air defences; what changes have occurred in that assessment in the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonFollowing the collapse of the Warsaw pact and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the immediate threat posed to United Kingdom air defences has reduced significantly. We remain conscious, however, of the uncertainties posed by the massive political, economic and military changes which have occurred over the past four years and, as reported in the 1992 statement of defence estimates, we shall continue to ensure that the armed forces are of a scale and quality able to respond to future challenges.