§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the operational areas opened since 1 May 1997 indicating the impact on the defence budget in each case; and if he will make a statement. [86443]
§ Mr. George RobertsonDetails of expenditure by operational area since 1 May 1997 are set out in the following table. In both financial years the impact on the defence budget has been offset by claims on the Government's Contingency Reserve, in accordance with established practice.
£ million Operational area Outturn Financial year 1997–98 Provisional outturn Financial year 1998–99 Bosnia 180.9 147.1 Gulf/Iraq 15.6 35.4 Kosovo — 23.2 Total 196.5 205.7 Relief from Reserve 178.0 85.0