HC Deb 02 August 1965 vol 717 cc240-1W
79. Mr. Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the £400 millions a year reduction in arms expenditure means cutting annual expenditure from £2,100 millions to £1,700 millions, or if it means a £400 millions annual reduction in what would have been the expenditure if the projected growth had not been checked.

Mr. Healey

The latter. The previous Administration's plans would have resulted in expenditure of about £2,400 million (1964 prices) in 1969–70 and we intend to reduce this by £400 million.

Mr. Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the £100 million a year reduction in arms expenditure next year means reducing the total from £2,100 million to £2,000 million, or if it means a reduction in what would have been the total if the projected growth had been unchecked.

Mr. Healey

The latter.

Mr. Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what his plans are for arms expenditure in each year from 1965–66 to 1969–70, and for overseas military expenditure in each of those years.

Mr. Healey

We have announced our intention of reducing defence expenditure to £2,000 million (1964 prices) in 1969–70 and of obtaining a sizeable reduction in overseas military expenditure. Figures for the intervening years will depend on the implementation of decisions made in the course of the Defence Review.