Earl Howeasked Her Majesty's Government:
How the 12-month timetable planned for the Government's spending review, as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 11 June 1997, will enable firm conclusions to be reached in the strategic defence review, which is scheduled for completion before the end of this year.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)There will be one coherent review of defence. The strategic defence review will be the Ministry of Defence's contribution to the comprehensive spending review. It is envisaged that work on the strategic defence review will be completed around the turn of the year.