Conventional War in Europe (Expenditure and Manpower Estimates)

HC Deb 02 March 1966 vol 725 cc298-9W

Sir T. Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for Defence upon what calculations he bases his estimates that defence expenditure would have to rise to £4,000 million or £6,000 million a year if the United Kingdom were to be prepared to fight a conventional war in Europe; if he will apportion these costs between the three Services; and what strength of Regular Army and Volunteer Reserves would be involved.

Mr. Healey

These are not, of course, estimates but illustrative orders of magnitude. The manpower requirement would clearly go up enromously and the rise in costs would inevitably follow.