HC Deb 28 October 1980 vol 991 c254W
18. Mr. Van Straubenzee

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in increasing at 3 per cent. per year in real terms the United Kingdom expenditure on defence.

Mr. Pym

We achieved 3 per cent. real growth in defence spending in 1979–80. The enhanced defence cash limit will provide for further real growth this year; precisely how much depending on the movement of prices and exchange rates between now and next March.