asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report the number of jobs lost as a result of cuts in defence spending or changes in the equipment programme in 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82 by (a) armed services personnel, (b) civil servants and (c) employees in the defence industry, both directly and indirectly employed on defence contracts.
Defence spending has not been cut and continues to be increased in real terms. Recruiting targets are reviewed from time to time. As stated in Cmnd. 8288, some reductions in Service manpower are foreseen up to 1986, while civilian savings are being sought over the entire range of activities to meet the target of 200,000 United Kingdom-based employees by 1984. All manpower reductions contribute to the regulation of the defence budget. Employment in the defence industries has increased despite introduction of new higher productivity methods in many sectorsChanges in the strength of Service personnel and civilian employees—including locally-entered personnel—for the years in question were:
| 1979–80 | 1980–81 | 1981–82 | Total change in period | |
| Service personnel | +5,400 | +14,700 | -4,900 | +15,200 |
| Civilian employees | -9,600 | -11,400 | -13,200 | -34,200 |
| 1979–80 | 1980–81 | 1981–82 | Total change in period | |
| Direct | 225,000 | 240,000 | * | * |
| Indirect | 180,000 | 190,000 | * | * |
| * Not yet available. | ||||