HC Deb 29 February 1996 vol 272 cc659-60W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlay his Department's decisions to write off expenditure in respect of training services for foreign Governments; and if he will indicate when and how the policies which informed these decisions have been reported to Parliament. [17784]

Mr. Soames

Assistance with military training takes place mainly in support of wider foreign policy aims, but can also serve defence objectives by promoting stability and military effectiveness in countries where we retain valuable facilities, including for transit or training, or where we have an obligation to assist in the event of a security threat. Assistance of this nature forms part of military task 3.11, as described in paragraph 522 of the 1993 "Statement on the Defence Estimates" and significant activities under this task have been reported in subsequent statements on the defence estimates. On occasion, the MOD agrees to waive the costs of training provided in the furtherance of these objectives. Training costs can also be reduced or waived in the furtherance of some defence sales, but only when it is considered essential for the sale and when matching cost contributions are provided by the commercial firm involved. The total value of receipts forgone in respect of training is reported each year in the appropriation account. In addition, Ministers have from time to time provided information on the value of such waivers in response to questions. I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Byers) of 3 April 1995,Official Report, columns 968–69.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the sums of money(a) written off each year in respect of training services for foreign Governments and (b) waived in respect of training services for foreign military students; if he will distinguish the costs incurred for policy reasons; and if he will list any expenditure written off or waived in respect of the Government of Iraq. [17783]

Mr. Soames

The primary responsibility for funding military assistance lies with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. On occasion, however, where there is a benefit to defence interests, the MOD agrees to waive the costs of training provided to foreign Governments. According to available records, the total of these waivers in the last five years is as follows:

£ million
Year Total waiver Waiver for policy reasons
1990–91 4.6 4.1
1991–92 4,6 4.3
1992–93 5.9 4.0
1993–94 5.5 4.3
1994–95 5.2 4.9

Beyond the above costs, there have been no write-offs in respect of training services for foreign Governments.

Details of the assistance provided are confidential between Governments.

There are no records of any expenditure written off or waived during this period in respect of training services to the Government of Iraq.