HL Deb 13 July 1992 vol 539 cc3-4WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will require the International Monetary Fund to examine the financial implications for Russia's economy of any programme of anti-ballistic missile defences (including GPALS).

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

Individual budgetary decisions, including those on military expenditure, are of course a matter for the government concerned.

The IMF rightly takes an interest in overall budgetary management, and can advise on the balance between productive and non-productive expenditure. We support this type of involvement as part of the assistance which the fund can provide to strengthen sound fiscal management of any borrowing member's economy.