To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel are based in (a) Germany and (b) Cyprus; and if his Department will estimate the annual cost of keeping the force in (i) Germany and (ii) Cyprus. (103739)

Figures for the number of people posted in Germany and Cyprus are shown in Tri Service Publication 6, Global Location of UK Regular Forces (TSP 6).

TSP 6 is published quarterly; the most recent publication shows the numbers of service personnel at 1 July 2006. Copies of TSP 6 are available in the Library of the House and also on www.dasa.mod.uk.

Figures for the marginal cost of keeping the forces in Germany are not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The estimated cost, for the financial year 2006-07, of maintaining all British Forces in Cyprus is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However the costs for maintaining the Chief of Joint Operations area, which forms the majority of the British Forces in Cyprus is £156 million. In addition, the Sovereign Base Administration Areas (SBAAs) in Cyprus are estimated as costing a further £12 million in financial year 2006-07 (a total of £168 million).