Priorities in British Defence Policy

Abstract

I should say something first about the priority which this Government accords to defence. We came to office pledged to restore our defences and to remedy the deficiencies of undermanning and overstretch which were so apparent in 1979. This pledge has been met. Defence expenditure in the current financial year is — at nearly £16 billion — some 17 per cent higher in real terms than that in 1978/79.

The idea of sea power has seldom been taken very seriously, even in a maritime nation such as Britain. It is true that most people vaguely believe in British sea power rather as they do in Christianity; the Royal Navy is rather like the Anglican Church — comfortable to have in the background but receiving close attention only in times of trouble.

Lord Hill-Norton