HL Deb 17 June 1996 vol 573 c1WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they accept the estimates of the United States Congressional Budget Office that NATO enlargement will cost between 60 and 120 billion dollars; what is their estimate of the cost of European Union enlargement to 24 states and whether both these sums are likely to be easy to find; and, if not, which expenditure in their view would give the better value for money.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

It is impossible to predict accurately yet what the exact costs of EU and NATO enlargement will be. EU and NATO enlargement are complementary steps in securing long-term peace and prosperity throughout Europe.