HL Deb 25 March 1991 vol 527 cc842-3

2.53 p.m.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the total cost to public funds of British participation in the Gulf war, and what was the total financial contribution made to this country by other participating states.

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, the additional costs of the Gulf conflict, falling to Defence Votes, are so far assessed at around £1.75 billion. The eventual costs will be significantly higher—possibly up to £3 billion, spread over several years. Financial contributions paid or pledged so far amount to £1.5 billion including some £250 million as the value of Saudi support and other nations' assistance in kind.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that extremely interesting reply. Can he say whether Her Majesty's Government are pursuing demands on those members of the European Community, other than France and Germany, whose contributions to our financial and military activities in the Gulf were negligible?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, as my noble friend said, we received generous help both financially and in kind from a number of countries, for which we are most grateful. We are seeking further financial assistance and help with the recovery of our troops to the United Kingdom from a number of allies and other nations.

Lord Mellish

My Lords, would the Minister be good enough to say exactly how much Belgium paid? I have asked this question before; it is like talking to oneself.

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I thought that the noble Lord might ask that question. He can be content that I came to the Dispatch Box with the answer. Belgium contributed, or pledged to contribute, £15 million. It also had a strong military presence in the Gulf.

Lord Williams of Elvel

My Lords, could the noble Earl tell the House, in answer to the noble Lord, Lord Boyd-Carpenter, how the Government are proposing to obtain more money from the European allies? For instance, will the war costs be one of the matters discussed at the meeting of Community Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg this week?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, I need notice to answer such a question. However, if it will help the noble Lord, I shall write to him.

Earl Alexander of Tunis

My Lords, having established the cost of the war, will my noble friend say whether British firms are to be assisted in winning some of the business opportunities that may arise in Kuwait?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, that question is extremely wide of the Question on the Order Paper.

Lord Dean of Beswick

My Lords, is the Minister aware that most of us feel that the £3 billion spent in the Gulf is a good investment in the interests of peace and winning the war; and how does the Minister compare it with the £13 billion wasted when the poll tax legislation had to be changed? Does that not indicate that this Government are perhaps better at running the country during a war than during peacetime?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, that is even wider of the Question on the Order Paper.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, as the war was ostensibly fought under the directions of the United Nations, is it not now the responsibility of the United Nations, rather than the European Community or any other regional grouping, to ensure that the bills are paid through the United Nations?

The Earl of Arran

My Lords, no. It is up to each individual country to say how much to donate to coalition forces.