§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the defence budget was spent in Wales in the most recent year for which figures are available(a) in actual terms and (b) as a percentage of the total defence budget. [140436]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Department is organised financially into Top Level Budgets reflecting major outputs rather than geographical location. Expenditure records reflect this organisation and have no relationship to regional boundaries. Nevertheless, the Defence Bills Agency paid defence contractors based in Wales some £158 million during 1999–2000, which represents 0.7 per cent. of Defence expenditure. These figures do not take account of purchases by sub-contractors.