HC Deb 15 July 1964 vol 698 cc1196-7
36. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what additional sums have now been included in the cost of defence for 1963.

Mr. Thorneycroft

None, Sir.

Mr. Shinwell

Has it not been widely reported that the costs have increased by £128 million? Is this report true? If it is, can the right hon. Gentleman explain this additional cost?

Mr. Thorneycroft

It has not been reported to me. The right hon. Gentleman may have in mind some associated costs which were referred to by the Chief Secretary, but these were not presented this year, nor last year, and nor will they be presented next year, as part of the defence budget, although for convenience they may be mentioned in the White Paper.

Mr. Shinwell

Can the right hon. Gentleman translate that for me? Does that mean that there are to be additional costs of £128 million which are associated with our defence costs? Is it true or untrue?

Mr. Thorneycroft

In a way, the whole of our industrial effort is associated in some way or another with our defence costs.

Sir C. Osborne

Will my right hon. Friend tell the House what proportion of the gross national product is now spent on defence and what was the figure in 1951?

Mr. Thorneycroft

It is now about 7 per cent. and there was a time under right hon. Gentlemen opposite when it was higher.