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Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he expects British troops to return to the UK when the British area of responsibility in Iraq is ready to hand over to Iraqi forces if the US area of responsibility is not ready for handover. [4828]
Mr. Ingram: The United Kingdom is committed to Iraq under the mandate of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1546, and for as long as the Iraqi Government judge that the coalition is required to assist and develop the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and provide security. Factors in determining the scope and timeline for eventual UK force level reductions in Iraq will include: the readiness of the ISF to take responsibility for the range of security tasks; the overall security situation; and progress on the political process. We will assess each of these factors as they affect both the four provinces covered by Multinational Division (South East) and Iraq as a whole, in close consultation with the Government of Iraq and our coalition partners, particularly the United States.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how individuals can obtain details of citationsaccompanying medals awarded to deceased relatives. [8627]
Mr. Touhig: Individuals seeking details of citations for awards to relatives who are deceased should write to the honours and awards branch at the relevant service address:
Surviving records pre-1937, or pre-1939 for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, are available in The National Archives at the following address:
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future role of (a) the Meteorological Office headquarters in Exeter and (b) the weather stations in (i) Aberdeen, (ii) Belfast, (iii) Birmingham, (iv) Cardiff, (v) London and (vi)Manchester. [9237]
Mr. Touhig: The Meteorological Office facility recently established at Exeter houses the HQ, operations and research centre (Hadley Centre). The operations centre provides a 24 hour, seven day capability for weather centre forecasting and for issuing severe weather warnings. The outputs are delivered in real time on a national and international basis.
The future of civil forecasting at Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, London and Manchester is the subject of current consultation by the Met Office. I will make a decision about the way ahead, taking full account of representations received, following the completion of consultation in autumn 2005.
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the strategic review of the Meteorological Office production network. [9256]
Mr. Touhig [holding answer 5 July 2005]: A copy of the consultation document will be placed in the Library of the House. I have already sent a copy of this document to those Members whose constituents may be affected by the final decision about the future of civil forecasting.
Mr. Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the residential properties his Department's Ministers are entitled to use as part of their duties. [6181]
Mr. Touhig [holding answer 27 June 2005]: Defence Ministers are not presently entitled to use any official residential properties as part of their duties.
Mr. Moore:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) officers and (b) private soldiers of each
11 Jul 2005 : Column 659W
Army regiment and corps have left under Premature Voluntary Release terms in each of the last three years. [9626]
Mr. Touhig [holding answer 5 July 2005]: The information is as follows:
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