§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the cost to date of the United Kingdom's involvement in the war in Iraq, including the preparations for invasion, the war itself and the subsequent occupation of that country. [HL664]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanMy right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer set aside £3 billion in the 2003 Budget to cover the cost of operations in Iraq. £2 billion of this special reserve was carried forward to 2003–04. Costs to the Ministry of Defence in 2002–03 were £848 million and approximately £1.3 billion in 2003–04. It is too early to assess the military costs for 2004–05.
Total government commitment for reconstruction in Iraq is £544 million from April 2003 to March 2006.