§ 78. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Defence in view of the unilateral undertakings of Mr. Khrushchev and President Johnson to reduce military budgets in 1964, what steps he is taking to enable Her Majesty's Government to make a similar gesture to improve the climate of international relations.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftIn his reply to the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) on 16th January (HANSARD cols. 407–408) my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister quoted the percentages of gross national product which Russia, America and this country spend on defence. Our defence expenditure is related to our commitments and, in the light of these figures, there is no reason for such a gesture as the hon. Member proposes.