HC Deb 07 October 2003 vol 411 cc15-6W
Llew Smith:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the money set aside to support the invasion of Iraq has been spent to date; and what plans he has to increase the funds available to support activities in Iraq. [129725]

Mr. MacDougall:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the most recent estimate is of the cost of the war with Iraq in 2003. [130522]

Mr. Flook:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has made of the cost of deployments to Iraq in (a)this financial year and (b)each of the next three financial years. [131511]

Mr. Gordon Prentice:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the cost to the UK of (a)the conflict in Iraq and (b)the occupation since the end of hostilities; and if he will make a statement. [131468]

Mr. Paul Marsden:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the most recent estimate is of the cost of the recent conflict in Iraq. [132296]

Mr. Boateng

[holding answer 17 September 2003]: As the Chancellor said in his 2003 Budget statement, I can confirm that I have set aside £3 billion, in a special reserve available to the Ministry of Defence so that our troops continue to be properly equipped and given the resources that they deserve and have a right to expect." [9 April 2003, Official Report,column 271].

It is too early to provide total costs of the military campaign in Iraq. However, the Ministry of Defence estimate for the preparatory phase, up to the point military operations began, at around £700 million.