HC Deb 29 January 1958 vol 581 cc371-2
49. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent the current rate of defence expenditure is within the estimate given at the beginning of the financial year.

Mr. Sandys

I expect that expenditure during the current year will be slightly in excess of Estimates. Supplementary Estimates for the Admiralty and Ministry of Supply will be presented to the House shortly.

Mr. Swingler

Does not the Minister recall that when he was appointed he was boosted as the man who was to achieve drastic economies in expenditure? What has happened to that policy?

Mr. Sandys

I do not know to what the hon. Member is referring. We achieved very big economies last year. The greater part of this excess is due to increased wages and prices over which the Service Departments have no control, and the hon. Member will find that the excess of defence expenditure over present Estimates looks like being about 2 per cent.