§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the level of expenditure on RAF war stocks in each year since 1983–84, expressed in constant 1989–90 prices, applying the basis of attribution of war stocks used prior to 1986–87.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the reasons for the changes in the basis of calculation of RAF war stocks in 1986–87 and 1987–88 noted on page 10 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1989", volume two.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe RAF war stocks figures reflect judgments about the attribution of the missiles or bombs to be purchased in a year between war stocks and peace-time consumption. The figures for 1986–87 were calculated on the basis of a new and narrower definition of war and contingency stocks (for example, they included gun ammunition but not missiles). In retrospect, however, these assumptions were not felt to have been as realistic as those previously used and subsequent figures have been calculated on a wider basis.