HC Deb 17 July 1997 vol 298 cc320-1W
Mr. Keith Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's definition of operational effectiveness. [7827]

Dr. Reid

Operational effectiveness is defined differently according to the context. At the highest level it is the ability of the UK's forces successfully to carry out their missions. At the operational level, it is evaluated by measuring operational capabilities against those of potential adversaries in particular sets of circumstances.