HC Deb 04 February 1991 vol 185 cc70-2W
Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 30 November,Official Report, column 550, when discussions with foreign Governments regarding the provision of financial assistance for the deployment of British forces to the Gulf began.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Since August 1990, discussions have been held with a number of foreign Governments who have provided assistance for the deployment of British forces in the Gulf.

Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the amount of financial assistance that has been provided to date by foreign countries for the deployment and operation of British forces in the Gulf.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Germany has provided a contribution of 800 million deutschmarks in cash towards the cost of operations in the Gulf, in addition to a package of assistance valued at some 60 million deutschmarks. Assistance has also been provided by a significant number of other countries. We hope to be in a position to put a figure on the total value shortly.