§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether funding for the armed forces is determined by the planned number of servicemen; and what the impact on funding is of a shortfall in the number serving. [119237]
§ Mr. IngramFunding for Defence is decided as part of the biennial Spending Review process and takes into account all the factors relevant to the delivery of the Ministry of Defence's Public Service Agreement, including service manpower plans. Defence funding will next be reviewed as part of Spending Review 2004 when any changes in service manpower numbers and plans will be taken into account.