HC Deb 14 November 1956 vol 560 cc940-1
29. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Defence what is now the total of additional military expenditure, not included in the original Estimates of the Service Departments for the current year, to the latest date for which figures are available.

The Minister of Defence (Mr. Antony Head)

About £13 million to 31st October, 1956.

Mr. Swingler

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is already a terribly high price to pay for the Government's folly in trying and failing to seize Suez? What steps is he taking to cut the cost to the minimum, in view of the fact that the arms budget for which he is responsible is already so over-inflated?

Mr. Head

This cost has been incurred and cannot be cut.

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