Written question asked by Lynne Jones (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 June 2003. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Monday, 9 June 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his estimate is of the cost of the clearance of unexploded ordnance left after military action by British forces in Iraq. - Including figure.

Answer: Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his estimate is of the cost of the clearance of unexploded ordnance left after military action by British forces in Iraq. [116260] Mr. Ingram: A mix of abandoned Iraqi munitions, as well as United States and United Kingdom ordnance, exists in the UK area of operation. However, UK EOD forces are engaged in the clearance of unexploded ordnance in their area of operations, irrespective of its origin. The costs of the EOD force--in terms of salaries and explosives--amount to some £330,000 per month. A cost of clearance of UK munitions alone would not therefore be meaningful.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 116260; 406 c653W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Ammunition Armed forces Costs Armed conflict Bombs Bomb disposal Iraq Weapons Iraq conflict
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk