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Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Volume 472: debated on Monday 3 March 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of (a) combat and (b) peacekeeping operations in Iraq in each year since 2003; and if he will make a statement. (190062)

Combat activities commenced on 20 March 2003 and ceased on 1 May 2003 spanning two financial years 2002-03 and 2003-04 totalling £2,158 million. All subsequent years are categorised as peacekeeping operations.

The costs of operations are calculated on a net additional basis and audited figures are published each year in the MOD’ Annual Report and Accounts. The total annual costs of operations in Iraq for the years 2002-03 to 2006-07 including the cost of combat activities are in the following table:

£ million

Operations in Iraq

Expenditure on capital equipment

Total

2002-03

629

218

847

2003-04

1,051

260

1,311

2004-05

747

163

910

2005-06

798

160

958

2006-07

787

169

956

Grand total

4,982

An estimated cost of £1,648 million for 2007-08 was included in the Spring Supplementary Estimates published in February, which is due to be voted on by Parliament shortly.