§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the figures for total defence spending for the years 1996–97 and 1997–98 on an outturn basis and 1998–99 to 2001–02 on an estimated or planned basis(a) in cash and (b) at 1996–97 prices using the actual and estimated GDP deflator to make the adjustments. [50843]
§ Mr. George RobertsonThe information requested is as follows:
£million Year Cash 1996–97 prices 1996–97 22,345 22,345 1997–98 21,554 20,987 1998–99 22,240 21,045 1999–2000 22,295 20,562 2000–01 22,830 20,542 2001–02 22,987 20,179 The figure for 1996–97 outturn is that shown in Table 1 (Cash Plans) of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1998–99 Ministry of Defence" (Cm 3902) which excludes the element of receipts arising from the sale of the married quarters estate that were appropriated onto Defence Votes in that year. The figure for 1997–98 represents the provisional outturn as set out in the Public Expenditure 1997–98 Provisional Outturn White Paper (Cm 3988) adjusted to exclude a further receipt from the sale of the married quarters estate.
§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish detailed Defence Estimates for(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02. [50842]
§ Mr. George RobertsonThe details of the Government's planned expenditure on defence for the years 1999–2000 to 2001–2002 will be presented to Parliament in the Supply Estimates, in the usual manner, by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury at the start of each financial year; eg, April 1999 for 1999–2000.