HC Deb 02 March 1937 vol 321 cc175-6
47. Mr. Garro Jones

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can estimate what sums will be expended this financial year and in each of the three succeeding years on armaments and Defence which will not come within the Estimates for the three Services or other Defence Votes?

Mr. Chamberlain

Provision for expenditure on Defence preparations is made in the current financial year under certain Votes other than Defence Votes; for example India Services Vote, Home Office Vote, Board of Trade Vote, etc. The provision proposed for such services in 1937–38 is included in the Estimates which will shortly be laid before Parliament. I am not prepared at the present time to forecast the rate of expenditure in succeeding years.

Mr. Garro Jones

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the figure for this year? I have asked him for the total figure which does not come within the orthodox Votes?

Mr. Chamberlain

I said that it will be in the Estimates that will shortly be presented.

Mr. Garro Jones

I am asking whether for the more convenient information of the House the right hon. Gentleman can assemble the figures and give us the total.