Defence Estimates

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 8:29 pm on 15 October 1996.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of John Reid John Reid , Motherwell North 8:29, 15 October 1996

For the hon. Gentleman's elucidation, there are three general elements in any such review. The first concerns commitments to resources, and I encompassed overstretch within that; the second is the interweaving of foreign affairs and defence; the third is the interweaving of trade and industry and defence. Those three elements would form the core of any defence review. With regard to expenditure, we made two things absolutely plain. First, we will spend what is necessary for the defence of our country and, secondly, as the hon. Gentleman will see if he reads our statement, such a review will not—not—be a cover for cuts.