Gay Mitchell
Question:19 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Defence the amount of GDP spent on defence in each of the years from 1997 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4627/00]
Written Answers. - Defence Expenditure.
Gerry Reynolds
Question:78 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Defence the percentage of GDP spent on Defence in each of the years from 1997 to 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4496/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 78 together.
From 1997 to 1999 annual expenditure on Defence as a percentage of GDP was as follows:
|
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
|
|
£m |
£m |
£m |
|
|
Defence expenditure (net) |
491 |
507 |
533 |
|
% of GDP |
0.95% |
0.85% |
0.8%* |
*Based on provisional GDP figure.
The decline in Defence expenditure as a percent of GDP in recent years is directly attributable to the high annual growth of GDP.