Further memorandum from the Ministry of
Defence
WINTER SUPPLEMENTARY
ESTIMATES 2007-08 AND
ESTIMATES MEMORANDUM—MOD
RESPONSE TO
HCDC QUESTIONS
Set out below are the Department's responses
to questions raised by the Select Committee arising from the Winter
Supplementary Estimate and the Department's Estimates Memorandum.
How do the changes in provision sought in the
Estimate affect MoD's performance against the PSA targets?
Response:
The changes in provision sought are not linked
to our overall achievement of the Department's PSA targets but
rather to enable delivery across the range of outputs in accordance
with our plans. Any reduction in RfR2 allocations would undermine
our ability to prosecute operations in Iraq and Afghanistan (PSA1).
Why have the infrastructure costs, equipment support
costs and capital additions for Iraq increased this year? Please
give examples of projects funded.
Response:
The centralisation of MoD's operating base in
Iraq to Basra Airport has required substantial building/infrastructure
work resulting in higher costs. The increase in both Equipment
Support and Capital Additions is the result of higher levels of
Urgent Operational Requirements, mainly to meet force protection
requirements. This includes measures to provide greater protection
for the Warrior AFV and the procurement of Protected Patrol Vehicles
to replace vehicles such as the SNATCH Land Rover.
Why do the military personnel costs for Iraq continue
to exceed those for Afghanistan?
Response:
At the beginning of the current year Iraq had
appreciably higher manpower levels than Afghanistan. However,
by mid year these had reduced to a point where both had similar
levels. The result is a higher annual forecast cost for Iraq.
As manpower levels and associated costs in Iraq decrease it is
expected that they will reduce below Afghanistan levels.
What are the anticipated costs of operations in
the Balkans?
Response:
The forecast, and funding, for operations in
the Balkans comes from the peace keeping element of the Global
Pools. Full, and robust, forecast figures for Global Pool activities
are not available until the Spring Supplementary Estimates. Early
indications are that the Balkans costs will be in the region of
£20M, but this is not a definitive figure at this time because
the tempo of operations may change later in the year.
23 November 2007
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