§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What has been the cost to the British taxpayer of the deployment of aircraft to the Middle East for No-Fly surveillance activity in parts of Iraq; how many sorties British aircraft have flown since the deployment was initiated; whether any aircraft or aircrew have been lost; what currently is the purpose of these deployments; and, if they have provided "value for money", how they define the "value". [HL2645]
§ Lord GilbertSince patrolling of the northern and southern Iraqi No-Fly-Zones began, in 1991 and 1992 respectively, the UK has routinely contributed six combat aircraft and one air-to-air refuelling aircraft to each operation. To date, the extra costs incurred are some £66 million. A total of some 14,000 sorties has been flown during this period. Only one aircraft has been lost, as a result of a technical malfunction, in 1993; the pilot was recovered by a US helicopter without further incident.
93WAThe principal role of UK aircraft within the coalition is tactical reconnaissance—monitoring Iraqi military activity in support of UNSCR 688 and other relevant UN resolutions. They make a vital contribution, and are a tangible demonstration of our determination to ensure that Saddam Hussein complies fully with the will of the international community. We believe that the cost of UK participation in these operations is fully justified by the practical demonstration of our support to the UN and to our allies in the region.