§ 9. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Defence if he will give details of the proposed increase in arms expenditure of £265 million a year by 1967–68.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftNo, Sir, but the figure takes account of rising living standards for the Service man as well as the growing cost and complexity of equipment.
§ Mr. AllaunSurely that is not right? There is an increase of only £30 million a year for soldiers' pay. Since the Government have decided to increase the arms burden by £160 million a year, plus millions of pounds of hidden expenditure in a single year, is it not a fact that the £265 million estimate is a serious understatement of the Government's arms expenditure?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftNo, Sir.
§ Mr. MayhewDoes this figure make provision to replace the military aid so misguidedly cut off by the Americans?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThat is a rather minimal aspect of these matters.
§ Mr. AllaunThe right hon. Gentleman replied to me "No, Sir". But how can he agree to £265 million being a reasonable estimate for three years—it is a fantastic figure in the opinion of many people—when he will spend nearly that in the first year alone?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI think we could debate the cost of defence when we come to the debate. That will be better than starting a wide-ranging discussion at Question Time.