HC Deb 25 November 1974 vol 882 c30W
Mr. Churchill

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of defence expenditure was available for new military equipment in 1950, 1960 and each of the years 1970 to 1974, respectively.

Mr. William Rodgers

Since 1970 the percentage of the Defence budget allocated to precurement of new equipment, as distinct from maintenance of existing equipment, has been approximately as follows:

Per cent.
1970–71 25
1971–72 23
1972–73 27
1973–74 29
1974–75 29

It is not practicable to give directly comparable figures for 1950 and 1960.