Defence: 2.5% GDP Spending Commitment Debate
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Lord Dannatt
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Defence: 2.5% GDP Spending Commitment
Lord Dannatt Excerpts(2 days, 16 hours ago)
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Lord Dannatt (CB)
My Lords, is the Minister aware that in 1935 we were spending less than 3% on defence? We failed to either deter or appease Hitler. Is he further aware that, in 1939, when the war had broken out, our defence spending rose to 19% and in 1940, when we were fighting for our lives, it was 46%? That is the disastrous cost of fighting a war. Does he agree that we must do all we can to prevent history repeating itself?
Lord Coaker (Lab)
I completely agree. The noble Lord will know that at various conferences and in various decisions I have made I have talked about the importance of deterrence. That has to be at the forefront of our minds as well.