§ Mr. John Browneasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total figure for supplementary provision made for particular programmes by means of add backs for his Ministry for the financial years 1980–81 and 1981–82; and what percentage of this total is to be spent on B echelon vehicles.
§ Mr. BlakerThe original defence cash limits set for 1980–81 and 1981–82 were subsequently increased by £203 million and £319 million respectively. The defence budget is managed as a single block budget and cash limit increases are not attributable to specific programmes. Total spending on B vehicles in 1980–81 was £177 million (1.6 per cent. of defence spending) and is estimated at £144 million (1.1 per cent. of defence spending) in 1981–82.