§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual level of defence spending envisaged for 1984 under the defence review expressed in terms of constant 1974 pounds; and what percentage reduction this level represents compared with spending for the current year.
§ Mr. MasonI refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend to the right hon. Member for Worcester (Mr. Walker) on 9th December.—[Vol.226W 883, c. 77–2.] The cost of defence as a proportion of our national resources will be reduced from 5½ per cent of GNP to 4½ per cent.
§ Mr. Robin F. Cookasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the anticipated expenditure on defence for each of the next 10 years at constant prices, both before and after the changes in policy announced in the defence review.
§ Mr. MasonI have nothing to add to the reply which my hon. Friend gave to the right hon. Member for Worcester (Mr. Walker) on 9th December.—[Vol. 883, c.71–2.]