HC Deb 27 January 1971 vol 810 c154W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will publish a table showing United Kingdom defence expenditure for the years 1958–59 and 1969–70 as a percentage of gross national product, together with similar percentage figures for West Germany, Italy, France, Holland and Belgium, on the basis of information available to him from international sources.

Lord Balniel

The following is the information:

1958 1969
Per cent. Per cent.
United Kingdom 7.8 5.9
West Germany 3.4 4.1
Italy 4.0 3.1
France 7.9 5.1
Holland 5.0 4.0
Belgium 3.9 3.1

NOTE:

The above percentages are calculated from defence expenditures according to a standard definition, expressed as a ratio of G.N.P. at factor cost. Because the period covered by financial years differs from country to country, calendar years have been used.

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