Written question asked by Tam Dalyell (Labour) on Monday, 7 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 March 2005. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Monday, 21 March 2005 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer to the honourable Member for Leyton and Wanstead of 31st January, 430 c597-8W, what his most recent estimate is of how much has been transferred from the reserve to cover the costs of UK involvement in Iraq.

Answer: Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Harry Cohen) of 31 January 2005, Official Report, columns 597-98W, what his most recent estimate is of how much has been transferred from the reserve to cover the costs of UK involvement in Iraq. [221203] Mr. Timms :[holding answer 10 March 2005]: In Budget 2003 the Chancellor set aside £3 billion as a special reserve to cover the cost of military operations in Iraq. £1 billion was drawn down by the Ministry of Defence in the spring supplementary estimate for 2002-03. In the 2003 pre-Budget report, the Government carried forward the £2 billion unallocated special reserve into 2003-04 and added a further £500 million in 2003-04. £300 million was also added in 2004-05 as a prudent allowance against continuing commitments in Iraq and elsewhere in the war against terrorism. A further £520 million for the special reserve in 2004-05 was announced by the Chancellor in the 2004 pre- Budget report. The Ministry of Defence drew down £1,539 million in the 2003-04 winter and spring supplementary estimates and £950 million in the 2004-05 spring supplementary estimate for the costs of military operations in Iraq.

Secondary information