Defence Export Services Organisation: Saudi Arabia

Jeremy Corbyn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Defence Export Services Organisation staff work for the Saudi Armed Forces Project; what management fee was received from Saudi Arabia to cover the cost of the project in financial years (a) 2005-06 and (b) 2006-07; what in addition to salaries this fee covered; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne
The Saudi Armed Forces Project employs 200 staff across the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. Aside from salary and salary related costs, the project’s operating expenditure includes the costs of office and domestic accommodation, personnel travel and subsistence, IT and telecommunications, training and professional fees and utilities.

The project’s operating expenditure is covered in full by a management fee received from the Saudi Arabian Government, but details of the fee are confidential between the two Governments. I am withholding the details as they would, or would be likely to prejudice international relations and harm the interests of the United Kingdom.