To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason he has not set aside an unallocated special reserve to meet the costs of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the UK's other international obligations in 2008-09; and what allowance has been made for expenditure to meet those commitments. (210667)

The cost of military operations in 2008-09, as in previous years, will be met from the Reserves. The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced to Parliament in his 2008 Budget speech that expected spend on military operations this year will be over £2 billion. Costs and provision will be reviewed for the pre-Budget report and the Ministry of Defence will seek provision as usual for the full expected net costs of military operations in Winter Supplementary Estimates.