The Earl of Carlisleasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they would permit the Ministry of Defence to recover the costs incurred through commissioning weapons systems, such as aircraft carriers, from other departments of state which directly or indirectly benefit from them, to alleviate pressure on the defence budget. [HL3936]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanNo. The defence budget is set at a level which takes account of all the demands placed upon it, including the acquisition of weapons systems.