§ Lord Eltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
To list the units of HM forces that have been deployed to Northern Iraq specifying, in each case, what has been the duration of that deployment, the "extra" cost generated by it, its full cost and the charge actually made, or to be made, for it by the Ministry of Defence to the Overseas Development Administration.
60WA
§ The Earl of ArranIt is not possible to provide the noble Lord with the information in the form he seeks. Three RAF C-130 aircraft were deployed to Turkey on 7th April to carry out air dropping of refugee supplies; 10 RAF Chinook helicopters joined this humanitarian operation from 13th April. Elements of 3 Commando Brigade were deployed to Northern Iraq as a temporary measure on 25th April. The Brigade's key components comprised 45 Commando; 40 Commando; RM Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre; 59 Independent Commando Squadron RE; 51 Field Squadron RE; 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery; Communications detachments; and 11 Sea King; six Lynx and eight Gazelle helicopters. In addition, 1st Amphibious Combat Group of the Netherlands Marine Corps was integrated with the Brigade. All HM Forces were withdrawn from Northern Iraq by 15th July.
It is too early to identify all the costs associated with the deployment. To date, the Overseas Development Administration has been charged £5,046,422 for the humanitarian assistance provided in the region. Defence Votes will bear the full cost of the deployment of 3 Commando Brigade to provide security for the refugees.