§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of State for Defence on what basis he estimates in his White Paper on Defence that the cost of living will rise by 9 per cent. in the coming year; and whether this estimate takes account of the Government's policy of controlling and reducing inflation.
§ Lord BalnielI have made no such estimate. The White Paper gives historical information on the rise in defence costs in the last year, and contained in the Estimates. The Estimates do not contain any contingency allowance for future price movements, and the hon. Member cannot deduce such movements from them. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.