HL Deb 21 April 1969 vol 301 cc364-6WA
THE EARL OF SELKIRK

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they can give on an approximately comparable basis, the gross national product with respective expenditure on defence in the countries who are members of NATO and the countries who are members of the Warsaw Pact.

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

Provisional figures in respect of 1968 for NATO member countries are as follows:—

the Defence Budget because it includes, in addition, expenditure on military aid and allied services.

Figures for the Warsaw Pact countries on the same authentic basis are not available. However, it is estimated that the U.S.S.R. spends 10 per cent. of its G.N.P. at factor cost on defence, that the Warsaw Pact as a whole spends 8 per cent. and that the proportions in respect of other members of the Warsaw Pact vary between 3½ per cent. and 5½ per cent.

House adjourned at eight minutes past six o'clock.