Supplementary memorandum from the Secretary
of State for Defence
I promised to follow up my oral evidence session
on 11 July with answers to some specific questions raised by the
Committee. I will deal with each question in the order in which
they were raised.
Adam Holloway asked whether all UK patrols in
Iraq now have an "Iraqi face". The composition of patrols
in the provinces of MND(SE) is informed by the security situation
and the level of development of the local security forces. It
also recognises the preference of the local authorities and commanders.
In Al Muthanna, where security responsibility has now transferred
to the Iraqi authorities, routine patrolling is now conducted
by the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) alone, occasionally augmented
by MND(SE) assets. In Maysan and Basra provinces, some patrolling
will be done unilaterally by MND(SE) troops and some will be either
conducted jointly with ISF, or include ISF representatives. In
addition we carry out joint operations with different elements
of the ISF across MND(SE).
Specific operations targeting corrupt elements
of the Iraqi Police are necessarily conducted without Iraqi Police
Service (IPS) involvement but, where possible, with the close
involvement of Iraqi agencies from Baghdad, including elements
of the ISF.
Mark Lancaster requested more detail on the
composition of additional infantry going to Afghanistan and whether
they are single formed infantry companies or composite companies.
I can assure you that we have not deployed, and are not intending
to deploy, composite companies for Regular forces, including for
Afghanistan. It is, however, normal practice to deploy composite
Territorial Army (TA) companies. This is a function of the TA
call-up process; we cannot guarantee or expect a 100% call-up
success rate for deployment, thus composites occur.
Mr Lancaster also asked about gapped posts in
Iraq and Afghanistan. Any large Headquarters sees staff posted
in and out, which may result in a small number of posts being
gapped at any one time. Those on operations are no exception.
In Iraq, for example, around 10 posts are currently gapped, but
this will change week-on-week. As you would expect, we take care
to ensure that gapping of key appointments is avoided.
Dai Harvard asked for more information regarding
the additional forces being deployed to Afghanistan—what
their roles would be and to clarify whether this includes trainers
for the Afghan National Army. As I announced in the House on 10
July 2006, we will be deploying around 870 additional troops to
enhance our capabilities over the next few months. In addition,
another 120 troops will deploy in October this year, primarily
as a result of replacing forces drawn from 16 Air Brigade with
others from three Commando Brigade, Royal Marines. These troops
will include additional trainers to the Afghan National Army,
drawn from elements of three Commando Brigade. Most of these troops
will be based in Helmand province with a smaller number at Kandahar.
Finally, Mike Hancock asked how quickly the
Military Complaints Commissioner could be in place. As I explained,
this will depend on the provisions that Parliament make in the
Armed Forces Bill. However, once all the legislative elements
are complete we would expect the appointment process to take around
six months.
I hope this is helpful.
28 September 2006
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