Written question asked by Caroline Lucas (Green Party) on Wednesday, 29 June 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 July 2011. It was answered by Liam Fox (Conservative) on Thursday, 7 July 2011 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Libya: Public Expenditure

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2011, Official Report, column 79W, on Libya: public expenditure and the oral answer to the hon. Member for Chichester from the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 22 March 2011, Official Report, column 850, on what date his Department amended its initial estimate of the cost of the UK contribution to coalition operations in support of UN Security Council Resolution 1973 to (a) the figure given in the answer of 16 May 2011 and (b) the figure given on 23 June 2011, Official Report, column 44WS; and what the reason was for the change in each such estimate.

Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has been progressively refining its estimates in the light of the changing operational environment. As was made clear in the answers given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), on 22 March 2011, Official Report, column 850, and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, my right hon. Friend the Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander), on 16 May 2011, Official Report, column 79W, it was too early at that time to provide a robust estimate of the costs of the operations in Libya. The statement I made on 23 June 2011, Official Report, column 24WS, provided an estimate for a six-month period. Costs will continue to be accounted for and reported to Parliament in MOD accounts.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 63616; 530 c1357-8W
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Libya: Public Expenditure
Monday, 16 May 2011
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Armed conflict Libya
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk