It need not be a problem if companies take out directors' liability insurance or agree to meet defence costs, if necessary.

The additional defence costs of the Gulf conflict, to be spread over several years, are currently estimated to be about £2.5 billion.

Bjelke-Petersen said his defence costs sent him broke.

Saud was invited to the United States and was given a loan of $250 million towards defence costs.

The main points of his campaign were industrial democracy, membership of the Common Market and reducing overseas defence costs.

Should a defendant be acquitted they will almost always be awarded their defence costs.

Under Eisenhower as president from January 1953 America's own efforts to reduce defence costs accelerated.

We cannot therefore support a common military defence, increased defence costs financed from the Community budget or a collective defence clause.

Since then, the international community has spent EUR 2 billion - not including defence costs - to try to rebuild Kosovo.

In theory,' said Emery, 'defence costs might fall once there's a proper strategic airfield.