HC Deb 18 February 1955 vol 537 c91W
Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Defence to state, for the purpose of comparing the defence burdens of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Canada, the proportion of national income spent on defence and the proportion of population in the Armed Forces in each of these States, in accordance with the information which he has received from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Mr. H. Macmillan

Details as are follows:

Country Percentage of gross national product spent on defence in 1953 Percentage of total population in Armed Forces (full-time) in 1953
(1) (2) (3)
1953 figures
United Kingdom 11.3 1.8
U.S.A. 14.7 2.1
Canada 9.2 0.7

Notes:

The figures are on the same basis, and subject to the same qualifications, as those given in answer to the hon. Member's Question on 9th February.