§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of(a) defence attaches and (b) the Defence Export Services Organisation in each financial year since 1997–98. [132153]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 14 October 2003]: Costs readily available for Defence Attachés in each financial year since 1997–98 are as follows:
Financial year Costs identified (£ million) 1997–98 30.6 1998–99 31.7 1999–2000 32.4 2000–01 34 2001–02 37.2 2002–03 37.1 Operating costs for DESO in each year since financial year 1997–98 are as follows:
£ million Financial year Expenditure Receipts Net operation costs 1997–98 —1 —1 14.380 1998–99 45.359 -29.342 16.017 1999–2000 46.473 -34.977 11.496 2000–01 55.81 -41.430 14.380 2001–02 48.930 -37.853 11.077 2002–03 56.944 -44.407 12.537 1 Full details of costs in this year are no longer available. The net operating costs are more than offset by benefits to the Defence budget arising from DESO's activities. Main sources of offsetting income from DESO are three Government-to-Government project offices, where the customer country pays Ministry of Defence costs, and the Disposal Services Agency, where costs are met from revenue.