HC Deb 15 June 1981 vol 6 cc287-8W
Mr. Trotter

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the expenditure expressed in current £ sterling in each of the last 15 years on (a) procurement and (b) research and development.

Mr. Pattie

The available series of figures expressed at September 1980 prices are given below. Since the procurement information only goes back to 1975–76, a longer run of equipment figures is also provided. Equipment figures exclude personnel and certain support costs associated with procurement.

Year Procurement Equipment Research and Development
£ million £ million £ million
1967–68 1,340
1968–69 1,250
1969–70 1,340
1970–71 3,940 1,120
1971–72 4,100 1,200
1972–73 3,660 1,230
1973–74 3,580 1,260
1974–75 3,450 1,290
1975–76 4,280 3,740 1,390
1976–77 4,280 3,780 1,350
1977–78 4,430 3,960 1,400
1978–79 4,600 4,150 1,470
1979–80 4,730 4,270 1,540
1980–81 5,040 4,580 1,590
1981–82 5,430 4,960 1,560

The figures for 1967–68 to 1979–80 are actual outturn. Those for 1980–81 and 1981–82 are the original estimates.