§ 35. Mr. DobbinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on changes to his Department's spending plans on troop deployment in Europe as a result of the comprehensive spending review. [138608]
§ Mr. HoonAs a result of the Spending Review settlement announced earlier this year the Defence Budget will increase in real terms by 1 per cent. between 2000–01 and 2003–04. This substantial funding increase will, over the period, provide £1,250 million of new money for defence, after allowing for inflation.
The settlement builds on the Strategic Defence Review, which included the relocation of some Army units from Germany to the UK, and sends an important signal about the Government's intention to sustain the capabilities of the armed forces. In addition, the UK has taken a leading role in NATO adaptation and in arguing for the development of European defence capabilities. The additional provision demonstrates that we continue to take those responsibilities seriously.