§ Mr. Denzil Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the extra £248 million, at 1979 survey prices, to be spent on defence in 1980–81 will comprise extra spending on (a) hardware, (b) military personnel and (c) administrative personnel.
§ Mr. PymI assume that the right hon. Gentleman is referring to the increase in the defence programme between 1979–80 and 1980–81 announced on 1 November—Cmnd. 7746, table 2—which amounts to £238 million. Since Defence Estimates for 1980–81 are still in preparation it is too early to say how total expenditure will be divided among equipment, Service personnel and other goods and services, but a breakdown will be shown in the Statement on the Defence Estimates. Our intention, however, is to devote the additional funds to strengthening the fighting efficiency of the forces and modernising their equipment.