HC Deb 02 June 1992 vol 208 c399W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost to the Exchequer of the Gulf war; and what was the cash contribution of other countries.

Mr. Portillo

The total cost to the exchequer of the Gulf conflict will not be known with certainty for some time. The additional military costs incurred are currently estimated by the Ministry of Defence to be of the order of £2.5 billion. Further direct costs borne by the Exchequer include claims against the Export Credits Guarantee Department, for which the corrected estimate is some £750 million, to be met over several years but which may be recoverable in part; and costs of some £13 million for the health departments and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Cash contributions provided by other Governments to help meet the United Kingdom costs amount to some £2,049 million.