§ 53. Mr. WISEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount Germany spent on her army in 1913 and 1921, on her navy in 1913 and 1951, and on her air force in 1913 and 1921?
§ Sir R. HORNENo separate provision is made in the German estimates for air expenditure. The army expenditure in 1913–14 was 1,369 millions of marks and in 1921–22 is estimated at 2,989 millions. The corresponding figures for the navy are 480 millions and 689 millions. While 2020 these are actual figures, it must be remembered that they are not comparable, owing to the enormous change in the value of the mark.
§ Lord R. CECILCan the right hon. Gentleman give any figures which would be comparable?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am sure my Noble Friend will agree that it is very difficult to get at the precise value, because the internal value of the mark is very different to its external value. The exchange markets from day to day reveal the external value, but the internal value, which is a different thing, is very difficult to compute.