HC Deb 13 March 1962 vol 655 cc148-9W
Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the approximate proportion of Air Votes spent on the provision of the British nuclear deterrent, including cost of new aircraft for the year and pay.

Mr. Amery

As stated in the Air Estimates Memorandum, capital and recurrent expenditure represents approximately 10 per cent. of the defence budget. This includes pay and the cost of new aircraft.

It would not be in the public interest to divide this figure between Air Votes and the expenditure on research and development for which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aviation is responsible.