§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the current and planned levels of expenditure on NATO commitments over the planning period; and if he will make a statement. [51890]
§ Mr. Doug Henderson[holding answer 24 July 1998]: The estimated costs of UK forces declared to NATO, and associated support costs, is some £13 billion in the current financial year. We expect the level of expenditure in the coming years to be broadly constant. These forces contribute to a number of missions, under NATO, non-NATO, or national command, in support of the Government's security and defence policy. The UK's annual net contribution to NATO's common budgets, at current exchange rates, and other command and HQ costs, are currently some £220 million.
The costs of the UK contribution to NATO operations in the Balkans for 1997–98 are still being collated.
The Strategic Defence Review stated that NATO will continue as the cornerstone of our defence planning, and that we intend to build on our role as a leading European member of the Alliance.