§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated expenditure on nuclear weapons by the United Kingdom for each year over the past decade in constant money terms.
§ Mr. BlakerThe expenditure attributed to our strategic nuclear forces over the past decade, at constant 1982–83 Estimates prices, is as follows:
£ million 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 178 164 173 170 186
£ million 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 197 173 196 206 300 The increase in 1981–82 is mainly due to the Chevaline programme expenditure, which is now substantially complete.