§ 11. Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider a South Atlantic defence bond or other suitable issue to assist the replacement of Her Majesty's ships and aircraft lost in the late operations and to provide for the strengthening of Her Majesty's forces.
§ Mr. BrittanAs my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has said, all ships and aircraft lost in the Falklands operation will be replaced not necessarily on a like for like basis. This should not require an increase in total Government borrowing. In any event, it is my view that the variety of public debt instruments currently available will enable the Government's borrowing programme to take place in the most economical way possible.
§ 25. Mr. Raceasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to raise taxation or reduce public expenditure in consequence of the Falklands conflict.
§ Mr. BrittanWe will consider how the costs of the Falklands conflict are to be financed when firmer information becomes available.
§ 29. Dr. Edmund Marshallasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to announce what supplementary provision is necessary to meet the cost of the Falkland Islands expedition.
§ Mr. BrittanI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Scotland Exchange (Mr. Parry) on 6 July.—[Vol. 27, c.56.]