HC Deb 22 July 1987 vol 120 c225W
Mr. Wilkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the comparisons, as a percentage of gross domestic product at 1987 prices, between (a) the United Kingdom, (b) the United States of America, (c) Japan, (d) West Germany and (e) France for military research spending in non-governmental establishments.

Mr. Sainsbury

Total Government spending on defence R and D as a percentage of GDP in the countries stated is given in table Fla of the "Annual Review of Government Funded R and D 1986". In the United Kingdom, 0.036 per cent. of GDP will be spent on extramural defence research in the financial year 1987–88, but comparable figures are not readily available for other countries. Statistics on private venture research expenditure by the United Kingdom defence industry are not held centrally.