HC Deb 12 February 1958 vol 582 cc364-5
6. Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Minister of Defence the proportion of the[...] gross national product and of the total budget, respectively, absorbed by defence; the total of the charges for the retention of forces abroad; the percentage of the working population, either in the Services or supporting them; the proportion of the metal-using industries devoted to defence; and the proportion of qualified scientists and engineers engaged on military work.

Mr. Sandys

The hon. Member asks six questions.

Statistics are not yet available to enable me to answer the first, third, fifth and sixth. The answers to the second and fourth are 30 per cent. and 6 per cent. respectively.

Mr. Zilliacus

Will this information be contained in the forthcoming Defence White Paper? It was contained in last year's White Paper, and would it not be valuable to have the same information in the forthcoming one?

Mr. Sandys

I do not think that the precise figures were contained in last year's Defence White Paper. Some were, but, of course, last year's White Paper came a month later than this one, and that is why it is more difficult.