HC Deb 17 February 1983 vol 37 cc237-8W
Mr. John Browne

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total expenditure on defence for the financial years 1969–70 to 1982–83; and what are the estimated figures for the years 1983–84 to 1985–86, all figures at constant 1982–83 prices.

Mr. Blaker

The following table gives the information requested for the financial years 1969–70 to 1982–83 at forecast average 1982–83 prices. The figure for 1982–83 is the current provision; the actual outturn is still subject to uncertainty. The figures have not been adjusted to reflect changes in definition of the defence programme over the period.

Year £ million
1969–70 13,409
1970–71 13,353
1971–72 13,488
1972–73 13,315
1973–74 13,134
1974–75 12,607
1975–76 13,188
1976–77 12,945
1977–78 12,645
1978–79 12,555
1979–80 12,934
1980–81 13,373
1981–82 13,565
1982–83 14,411

Public expenditure is now planned in cash. The cash provision for future years is as follows:

Year £ million
1983–84 15,987
1984–85 17,290
1985–86 18,330

Mr. John Browne

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of total Government expenditure was devoted to defence in each of the financial years 1969–70 to 1982–83; and whether he has prepared any estimates for future years.

Mr. Blaker

The information is as follows:

Year Per cent.
1969–70 13.0*
1970–71 13.1*
1971–72 13.2*
1972–73 12.5*
1973–74 12.1*
1974–75 10.7*
1975–76 11.0*
1976–77 11.5*
1977–78 12.0†
1978–79 11.4†
1979–80 12.0†
1980–81 12.0†
1981–82 12.0†
1982–83‡ 12.8†
1983–84‡ 13.4†
1984–85‡ 13.7†
1985–86‡ 14.2†
* Defined as a percentage of the "planned total" used in Cmnd. 8175 of March 1981 less the market and overseas borrowing of nationalised industries and some other public corporations. The latter expenditure is excluded because no data are available prior to 1974–75.
† The planning total as denned in Cmnd. 8789 of February 1983. For 1983–84 onwards these figures are plans.
‡ Expenditure plans published in Cmnd. 8789.

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