HC Deb 20 October 2003 vol 411 cc393-4W
Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what financial provision he has so far made for the cost of the UK's contribution to(a) the conduct of active hostilities in Iraq earlier this year, (b) the provision of troops subsequently and (c) the financing of reconstruction in Iraq. [132778]

Mr. Boateng

As the Chancellor said in his 2003 Budget statement, "I can confirm that I have set aside £3 billion, in a special reserve available to the Ministry of Defence so that our troops continue to be properly equipped and given the resources that they deserve and have a right to expect."Official Report, 9 April 2003, column 271.

It is too early to provide total costs of the military campaign in Iraq. However, the Ministry of Defence estimate for the preparatory phase, up to the point military operations began, at around £700 million.

(c) In April 2003, the Department for International Development set aside £210 million for reconstruction and humanitarian work in Iraq. £154 million of this has been allocated to UN agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement and NGOs. A further £60 million was set aside by the Chancellor in the Budget to support the work of the UN on the reconstruction and development of Iraq. DFID also provides 19 per cent. of a family with two dependent children aged 18 and 12 with a gross income of (a) £13,000 a year, (b) £13,500 a year, (c) £14,000 a year, (d) £14,500 a year, (e) £15,000 a year, (f) £15,500 a year and (g) £16,000 a year; and what assessment he has made of the sources of that net income. [132687]

Ruth Kelly

Given annual gross earnings, a single full-time earner family with two dependent children aged 12 and 18 in full time education would have an annual net household income in 2003–04 that is tabulated as follows:

of European Community (EC) funding for Iraq. The total EC commitment to Iraq currently stands at £100 million.

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