§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost so far to the Exchequer of the recent Gulf war; and how much of this has been offset by cash contributions from other countries.
§ Mr. MellorThe additional defence costs of the Gulf conflict are currently estimated to be around £2½ billion, spread over several years. The bulk of the costs, some £2 billion, will be covered by the cash contributions generously pledged by other Governments, of which £1.93 billion has so far been paid to the United Kingdom.