§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of defence expenditure was available for new military equipment in 1950, 1960 and each of the years 1970 to 1974, respectively.
§ Mr. William RodgersSince 1970 the percentage of the Defence budget allocated to precurement of new equipment, as distinct from maintenance of existing equipment, has been approximately as follows:
Per cent. 1970–71 … … … … 25 1971–72 … … … … 23 1972–73 … … … … 27 1973–74 … … … … 29 1974–75 … … … … 29 It is not practicable to give directly comparable figures for 1950 and 1960.