§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the official estimate that the rise in prices during the current year, resulting from devaluation and the increases in indirect taxation which is likely to be 44 per cent., will increase the estimated expenditure of £2,271 on defence during the current financial year.
§ Mr. HealeyThe current year's Defence Budget estimate included provision for the immediate effects of devaluation. It is too early yet to say to what extent the effects of the increase in indirect taxation and the less immediate price rises resulting from devaluation can be absorbed within the estimate of £2,271 million.