HC Deb 15 March 1937 vol 321 cc1642-3
90. Mr. T. Johnston

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total arms estimates, including expenditure for loans, for the Air, Navy and Army forces of the following nations for the year 1937, the figures being converted into British money: Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Japan and the United States of America?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

With the right hon. Gentleman's permission I will circulate a statement giving the information, so far as it is available, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

Estimated Defence Expenditure, 1937 or 1937–8 (millions).

Great Britain—257 £sterling.*

France—18,360 francs† (which would equal £172 at 1067/16 francs to the £).

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics—20,102 roubles.

Japan—1,409 yen‡ (which would equal £82 at 1s. 2d. per yen).

United States—991 dollars§ (which would equal £203 at 4.889/16 dollars to the £).

* This figure represents the net total of the Estimates for the three Defence Services (including the Royal Ordnance Factories) before deducting the sums proposed to be appropriated in aid of those Votes in accordance with the terms of the Defence Loans Bill. Expenditure amounting to approximately £18,750,000 on non-effective expenditure, and £2,500,000 on Civil Aviation has been excluded.

† Includes certain provision under the head of Aid for Civil Aviation, but excludes the military expenditure of the Colonies amounting to 663 millions of francs.

‡ Subject to a small reduction decided on since the estimates were framed.

§ Includes "emergency expenditure" of $11,000,000.

The figures are based on the latest available information, and are approximate only. Owing to differences between national financial systems, the figures may not be strictly comparable. As requested in the question the sterling equivalents are given in certain cases, but having regard to the differences in internal purchasing power and to fluctuations in exchange rates no significance can be attached to the comparisons. In the case of the Soviet Union the official rate has no relevance to internal expenditure of this kind. Estimates for Germany and Italy are not available.