HC Deb 25 February 1953 vol 511 cc2056-7
6. Mr. Hale

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, in terms of 1950 prices the amounts spent as part of the defence programme on textiles in the financial years 1950–51, 1951–52, and the estimated expenditure for 1952–53 and 1953–54, respectively.

Mr. Birch

The amounts spent on textiles (including clothing) for the financial years 1950–51 and 1951–52 respectively were £22 million and £47 million. Estimated expenditure in 1952–53 and 1953–54 is £90 million and £51 million respectively.

Mr. Hale

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that when my right hon. Friend announced the three-year rearmament programme he said that £200 million was budgeted for in respect of expenditure on textiles in the next three years? As the hon. Gentleman's figures show—even allowing for rises in costs— only an expenditure of some £150 million in those three years, is it not clear that the announcement made last year that additional orders were being placed with the textile industry were inaccurate, and that, in point of fact, there has been a reduction of Government expenditure on textiles at the same time as there has been a restriction on textiles on the home market?

Mr. Birch

The hon. Gentleman is aware that special action was taken during the current financial year in view of the textile troubles, and that at least an extra £20 million were spent which it was not previously intended to spend.