§ 29. Ms Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase spending on defence capabilities for the Army. [138602]
§ Mr. SpellarAs a result of the Spending Review settlement announced earlier this year the Defence Budget will increase in real terms by 1 per cent. between 2000–01 and 2003–04. This substantial funding increase will, over the period, provide £ 1,250 million of new money for defence, after allowing for inflation. We have as a result already been able to announce some measures to address lessons learned from the operation in Kosovo and we are now looking at other proposals, particularly housing and accommodation, for further expenditure as part of our annual planning process.