Written question asked by Lord Marlesford (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Drayson (Labour) on Monday, 8 January 2007.

Iraq and Afghanistan: Military Operations

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:What has been the cost to public funds in each of the past five years of British military operations in (a) Iraq, and (b) Afghanistan; and what financial provision has been made for this in 2006–07 and 2007–08.

Answer: The costs of operations are calculated on a net additional basis and audited figures are published each year in the MoD's annual report and accounts, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. The total of the annual audited figures for the costs of operations in Iraq for the years 2002-03 to 2005-06 was £4,026 million. An estimated cost of £860 million for 2006-07 was included in the winter supplementary estimates published in November. Final figures will be published in the MoD's annual report and accounts for 2006-07. The annual audited figures for the costs of operations in Afghanistan for the years 2001-02 to 2005-06 were £844 million. An estimated cost of £540 million for 2006-07 was included in the winter supplementary estimates published in November. Final figures will be published in the MoD's annual report and accounts for 2006-07. Financial provision for 2007-08 will be sought in estimates for that year when a clearer picture of operational requirements is known.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 781; 688 c26WA
Session: 2006-07
Subjects: Costs Armed conflict Iraq Peacekeeping operations Afghanistan Iraq conflict
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk