Expenditure (Hansard, 17 February 1983)

§ Mr. John Browne
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total expenditure on defence for the financial years 1969–70 to 1982–83; and what are the estimated figures for the years 1983–84 to 1985–86, all figures at constant 1982–83 prices.

§ Mr. Blaker
The following table gives the information requested for the financial years 1969–70 to 1982–83 at forecast average 1982–83 prices. The figure for 1982–83 is the current provision; the actual outturn is still subject to uncertainty. The figures have not been adjusted to reflect changes in definition of the defence programme over the period.

Year £ million

1969–70 13,409

1970–71 13,353

1971–72 13,488

1972–73 13,315

1973–74 13,134

1974–75 12,607

1975–76 13,188

1976–77 12,945

1977–78 12,645

1978–79 12,555

1979–80 12,934

1980–81 13,373

1981–82 13,565

1982–83 14,411

Public expenditure is now planned in cash. The cash provision for future years is as follows:

Year £ million

1983–84 15,987

1984–85 17,290

1985–86 18,330

238W

§ Mr. John Browne
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of total Government expenditure was devoted to defence in each of the financial years 1969–70 to 1982–83; and whether he has prepared any estimates for future years.

§ Mr. Blaker
The information is as follows:

Year Per cent.

1969–70 13.0^*

1970–71 13.1^*

1971–72 13.2^*

1972–73 12.5^*

1973–74 12.1^*

1974–75 10.7^*

1975–76 11.0^*

1976–77 11.5^*

1977–78 12.0†

1978–79 11.4†

1979–80 12.0†

1980–81 12.0†

1981–82 12.0†

1982–83‡ 12.8†

1983–84‡ 13.4†

1984–85‡ 13.7†

1985–86‡ 14.2†

^* Defined as a percentage of the "planned total" used in Cmnd. 8175 of March 1981 less the market and overseas borrowing of nationalised industries and some other public corporations. The latter expenditure is excluded because no data are available prior to 1974–75.

† The planning total as denned in Cmnd. 8789 of February 1983. For 1983–84 onwards these figures are plans.

‡ Expenditure plans published in Cmnd. 8789.

Year	£ million
1969–70	13,409
1970–71	13,353
1971–72	13,488
1972–73	13,315
1973–74	13,134
1974–75	12,607
1975–76	13,188
1976–77	12,945
1977–78	12,645
1978–79	12,555
1979–80	12,934
1980–81	13,373
1981–82	13,565
1982–83	14,411

Year	Per cent.
1969–70	13.0^*
1970–71	13.1^*
1971–72	13.2^*
1972–73	12.5^*
1973–74	12.1^*
1974–75	10.7^*
1975–76	11.0^*
1976–77	11.5^*
1977–78	12.0†
1978–79	11.4†
1979–80	12.0†
1980–81	12.0†
1981–82	12.0†
1982–83‡	12.8†
1983–84‡	13.4†
1984–85‡	13.7†
1985–86‡	14.2†
^* Defined as a percentage of the "planned total" used in Cmnd. 8175 of March 1981 less the market and overseas borrowing of nationalised industries and some other public corporations. The latter expenditure is excluded because no data are available prior to 1974–75.
† The planning total as denned in Cmnd. 8789 of February 1983. For 1983–84 onwards these figures are plans.
‡ Expenditure plans published in Cmnd. 8789.