§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 16 January 1984, Official Report, c. 80, to the hon. Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Ross) whether he will (a) define the meaning of the words "per capita" used in the answer and (b) publish in the Official Report the changes referred to in the definition of defence expenditure between 1980–81 and 1983–84.
§ Mr. StanleyThe information requested is as follows:
- (a) The definition of the words "per capita" used in my reply of 16 January is "per head of the population."
- (b) Changes in the definition of defence expenditure are attributable to changes in the Department's responsibilities or in the arrangements with other Departments for the provision of services. Major changes between 1980–81 and
186 1983–84 were the introduction of the property repayment service and the creation of a Post Office external financing limit following the phasing out of official paid stationery.