HC Deb 18 March 1998 vol 308 cc628-9W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest estimate of the cost of maintaining the British military presence in the Gulf. [34464]

Mr. George Robertson

The costs incurred to the end of February amounted to some £3 million. The current estimate of the total additional cost for the preparation, deployment and recovery of forces is £12 million, and an additional £0.5 million per month to maintain the forces while in theatre.