Written question asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative) on Monday, 5 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 March 2001. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Monday, 19 March 2001 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, What the defence budget, expressed as a percentage of GDP, was in (a) 2000-01 and (b) 1996-97 in (i) the UK, (ii) France, (iii) Germany and (iv) Belgium. (Failed OPQ). - Inc figures.

Answer: Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the defence budget, expressed as a percentage of GDP, was in (a) 2000-01 and (b) 1996-97 in (i) the UK, (ii) France, (iii) Germany and (iv) Belgium. [152714] Mr. Spellar: The defence budgets of the countries stated, expressed as a percentage of their GDP, are: UK--2.5 per cent. in 2000-01, and 2.9 per cent. in 1996-97; France--2.7 per cent. in 2000-01, and 3.0 per cent. in 1996-97; Germany--1.5 per cent. in 2000-01, and 1.6 per cent. in 1996-97; Belgium--1.4 per cent. in 2000-01, and 1.6 per cent. in 1996-97. It should be noted that the figure of 2.5 per cent. for the UK this year reflects the increase in the Defence budget as a result of the Supplementary Estimate laid last month. The previously reported figure was 2.4 per cent.

Secondary information