HC Deb 03 March 1978 vol 945 cc426-7W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in what ways he proposes to allocate the additional expenditure on defence of 3 per cent, in 1979–80.

Mr. Mulley

The final allocation of the 1979–80 defence budget will be determined towards the end of the year when estimates are prepared. On present plans, most of the increased expenditure will be devoted to re-equipment programmes and to force improvements, such as the deployment of HMS "Bulwark", the increase in Army manpower and the purchase of medium-lift helicopters, which were recently announced.