HL Deb 29 November 1972 vol 336 cc1401-2WA
LORD ORR-EWING

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What sums have been spent from the Defence Budget on Research and Development, and Production separately of equipment for each of the three Services separately in the years 1964–65, 1967–68 and 1971–72, at current prices for each year of expenditure and at 1972 prices for each year of expenditure; and, secondly

What was the expenditure at current prices and at 1972 prices in the years 1964–65, 1967–68 and 1971–72 on Research and Development, and Production of equipment for the Armed Forces under the headings of Sea Systems, Land Systems, Air Systems, Guided Weapons and Electronic Systems and Other as shown in Annex B of Cmnd. 4891 of February, 1972.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE (LORD CARRINGTON)

I regret that it is not possible to provide this information in the form requested. The following are approximate figures derived from the analysis of Defence Budget Estimates under the principal headings presented inStatements on the Defence Estimates

Current prices £ million
1964–65 1967–68 1971–72
Research and development 213 205 196 Note a.
Production: Note b.
Navy 211 256 223 Note c.
Army 103 136 108 Note d.
Air Force 234 268 279
Other 40 21 -18 Note e.

Notes

a. Intramural manpower costs are not included. Research and Development expenditure cannot be divided on a Service basis.

b. The Purchasing (Repayment) Services Votes have been excluded.

c. The 1964–65 Navy production figure excludes certain manpower costs included in Cmnd.2270 but not in the White Papers for the later years.

d. The Army figures include Royal Ordnance Factory costs and, in 1971–72, include certain manpower costs excluded in Cmnd. 4592 but included in White Papers for the earlier years.

e. Other production includes the Special Materials Vote, inspection, defence sales, and other unallocated services.

f. It would involve disproportionate effort to attempt to present the figures under the Systems Vote headings introduced in 1972–73 on an outturn basis or at constant prices.