§ 36. Mr. Neubertasked the Secretary of State for Defence what deductions he has drawn from recent revelations of much increased Soviet defence expenditure; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MasonOur latest estimates of Soviet defence expenditure show that their leaders continue to devote a much higher share of their resources to defence than any NATO country. Indeed, their defence expenditure exceeds their combined total for health and education. Comparatively speaking, their defence industries are less efficient than we had thought. These latest estimates do not change our view of the increasing strength and quality of Soviet military capability.