§ 12. Mr. Ioan Evansasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current expenditure for defence and the proposed expenditure for future years.
§ Mr. NottPlanned expenditure this year and for 1982–83 and 1983–4 was set out in the Government's public expenditure White Paper in March and it was announced in June that the Government had taken a firm decision to plan for 3 per cent. real growth for a further two years.
§ Mr. EvansAs the Government are cutting back on social services and aids to manufacturing industry and are compelling local authorities to hold referendums if they want to increase local rates to deal with the problems of the homeless and the disabled, does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the Government should have a referendum before increasing defence expenditure still further?
§ Mr. NottThe opening sentence of the White Paper published in the summer made it clear that the first duty of any British Government is to safeguard our people in peace and freedom. That is why we are devoting extra resources to defence.
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorIn the light of that reply, can my right hon. Friend assure the House that there will be no further cuts in defence expenditure during the lifetime of the Government?
§ Mr. NottWe have already published our plans for the future in the public expenditure White Paper, and they stand.