§ Mr. GallowayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the cost in each year of the enforcement of the no fly zones over the(a) North and (b) South of Iraq. [71388]
§ Mr. George RobertsonEnforcement of the northern and southern no-fly-zones over Iraq began in 1991 and 1992 respectively. The annual additional costs of each operation since that time are as follows:
£ million North South 1991–92 2.6 — 1992–93 4.2 5.3 1993–94 9.6 6.5 1994–95 10.5 4.6 1995–96 5.9 4.7 1996–97 2.3 4.1 1997–98 2.3 3.4 1998–99 3.2 7.6 The figures for 1998–99 are estimates. The Southern no-fly-zone estimate in this year takes account of the deployment of RAF aircraft to Kuwait as well as Saudi Arabia.
§ Mr. GallowayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the legal authority for the imposition and enforcement of the no fly zones over the(a) North and (b) South of Iraq. [71387]
§ Mr. George RobertsonCoalition patrols of the Northern and Southern no-fly zones in Iraq are in support of UNSCR 688. They are justified under international law on the basis of overwhelming humanitarian necessity. They prevent Saddam Hussein from using his air force against the Iraqi people in the north and south and enable us to monitor the actions of his forces on the ground. In responding to the threat from Iraqi air-defence systems, coalition aircraft have responded in self defence in a proportionate manner. This action is justified under international law on the basis of self defence.