§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of of State for Defence, after allowing for inflation, what has been the percentage reduction in the total cost of war and contingency stocks as between the 1977–78 estimate of £108 million and the 1976–77 estimate of £116 million; and what has been the similar percentage reduction in so far as such stocks for the Army are concerned.
§ Dr. GilbertAt constant prices expenditure on war and contingency stocks for all three Services fell between 1976–77 and 1977–78 by about 20 per cent. As between the Services, expenditure by the Navy showed no change, by the RAF an increase of 25 per cent. and by the Army a reduction of 56 per cent. Expenditure on war and contingency stocks varies from year to year depending, for example, on the existing levels of stocks and the introduction of new equipment. The level of war and contingency stocks in 1977–78 will be broadly consistent with NATO requirements.