§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his latest estimate of the costs of the United Kingdom's military contribution to the NATO-led implementation force in the former Yugoslavia. [6254]
§ Mr. PortilloThe latest estimates of the costs for the ground operations of the NATO-led implementation force in the former Yugoslavia are that £60 million was spent in 1995–96, and that £160 million will be spent in this financial year. In addition, we estimate that £24 million will be spent in this financial year for Operation Decisive Edge, the air component of the implementation force. 29W Subject to parliamentary approval, the Government have agreed that £244 million will be provided from the reserve in 1996–97 to meet these costs.
We estimate that a further £120 million may be required in future years, including for repair of equipment deployed and restocking of stores and spares. If the defence budget is unable to absorb those extra costs without detriment to the rest of the defence programme, I shall seek access to the reserve.