§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the actions, together with their relevant savings, his Department is taking to reduce defence expenditure in 1996–97 by the sum agreed with the Treasury.
§ Mr. SoamesAn extensive range of measures is being taken to contain the costs of defence while continuing to maintain and enhance the front-line capabilities of the armed forces. It is, however, our practice not to publish 259W details of the contents of the Department's annual long-term costing. Major proposals and decisions that have been announced in Parliament are set out in the annual departmental report and the statement on the defence estimates, as well as in other publications, notably last year's report on the outcome of the defence costs study.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's estimated percentage change in defence expenditure as a proportion of gross domestic product between 1994–95 and 1999–2000.
§ Mr. SoamesDefence expenditure is expected to fall from 3.3 per cent. to 2.8 per cent. of GDP between 1994–95 and 1997–98. Defence expenditure plans beyond 1997–98 have not yet been set.