§ Dr. CableTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Government's most recent estimate is of the cost of the British occupation of Iraq in each month since the start of the conflict. [164977]
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the UK of operations in Iraq in March 2004. [165591]
§ Mr. Boateng[holding answer 31 March 2004]: The Treasury does not estimate costs for Iraq in the manner requested.
The Chancellor set aside £3 billion in Budget 2003 to cover the cost of operations in Iraq, £1 billion was drawn down in the Spring Supplementary Estimate for 2002–03. The remaining £2 billion of this special reserve has been carried forward to 2003–04.
In the recent PBR the Chancellor announced a further £500 million set aside for the financial year 2003–04 and a further £300 million for 2004–05 as a prudent allowance to cover Iraq our continuing international commitment to the war on terrorism.