Ministerial Correction

Thursday 16th March 2017 Ministerial Corrections

Thursday 16 March 2017

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.