Defence

Thursday 16th March 2017 Ministerial Corrections

Topical Questions

The following is an extract from topical questions to the Secretary of State for Defence on Monday 13 March 2017.

[Steven Paterson (Stirling) (SNP)]

According to the National Audit Office, even if the defence estate strategy was implemented in full, we would still have an £8.5 billion budget shortfall caused by the deterioration of the estate. Is the strategy fit for purpose?

[Mark Lancaster]

The strategy is absolutely fit for purpose, and it is based on delivering military capability. Reducing the estate by some 30% means that we have less estate to look after, and that we can reinvest some £4 billion over the next 20 years.

[Official Report, 13 March 2017, Vol. 623, c. 23.]

Letter of correction from Mark Lancaster

An error has been identified in my response to the hon. Member for Stirling (Steven Paterson).

The correct response should have been:

[Mark Lancaster]

The strategy is absolutely fit for purpose, and it is based on delivering military capability. Reducing the estate by some 30% means that we have less estate to look after, and that we can reinvest some £4 billion over the next 10 years.