Written question asked by Lord West of Spithead (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 March 2015, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 March 2015. It was answered by Lord Astor of Hever (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 March 2015 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Defence: Finance

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Astor of Hever on 4 March (HL Deb, col 218), what was the Prime Minister’s response when the Ministry of Defence passed on the suggestion that he talk to the Leader of the Opposition with a view to enshrining in each of the main parties’ manifestos the principle that two per cent of gross domestic product be committed to defence spending, to take the issue out of the political arena.

Answer: I refer the noble Lord to the Prime Minister's comments on Defence spending at Prime Minister's Questions on 11 March 2015 (Official Report, columns 286 and 292). Decisions for 2016-17 and beyond will be a matter for the next Spending Review and the next Government.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL5596
Session: 2014-15
Attachment: Hansard Extracts 11 March 2015
Related items: Defence Budget
Wednesday, 4 March 2015
Oral answers to questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Defence Finance
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk