asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the percentage amount of decline of defence expenditure on social security, education, housing and health since 1974.

Between the years 1973–74 and 1977–78 public expenditure, in volume terms, on defence fell by 2·8 per cent, and on education by 1·8 per cent., whereas expenditure on social security, housing and health and personal social services rose by 23·4 per cent., 13·4 per cent., and 6·7 per cent. respectively.