HC Deb 13 July 1955 vol 543 c1906
6. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Minister of Defence whether the first half-year of the operation of his Estimates indicates any reduction in defence expenditure in the current year.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

If the right hon. Gentleman will put this Question down again in October, when the first half of the current financial year will have been completed, I will do my best to give him an Answer.

Mr. Shinwell

Does that mean that since the last Defence Estimates were presented to the House the right hon. and learned Gentleman has had no indication whether defence expenditure has been reduced? Has it been reduced since the beginning of the financial year, or does he expect any reduction this year? Can he not give us any information? Does he not know what he is doing in his own Department?

Mr. Lloyd

If the right hon. Gentleman will look again at the Question which he put down, he will see that it refers to the first half-year. The first half-year is not yet over.

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