§ 22. Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost to the UK(a) of operation Desert Fox and (b) of subsequent operations in Iraq; and what is the current monthly cost. [113710]
§ Mr. HoonInformation on the total cost of Operation Desert Fox cannot be reliably differentiated from the overall costs of military operations in the Gulf, which in 1998–99 cost £35 million. The figure for 1999–2000 is forecast to be £30 million, a reduction of £3 million on the previous estimate I gave to the House on 22 February.
423WOur costs are not collected on a monthly basis, nor do they relate, always, to regular monthly activities.