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15 Oct 2007 : Column 761W—continued

Zimbabwe

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussion he has had with the (a) United Nations, (b) EU and (c) African Union on the humanitarian and economic situation in Zimbabwe; and what steps he is taking to improve that situation. [156295]

Mr. Thomas: The Secretary of State for International Development recently discussed the situation in Zimbabwe with the UN Secretary General in New York. He and the Foreign Secretary have also had high level discussions in recent weeks with the AU and EU, and key member states of both.

We continue to provide between £30 million and £40 million of humanitarian assistance a year to protect the Zimbabwean people from the worst effects of the current crisis, and are giving support to those in Zimbabwe working for democratic change. When the time is right, we stand ready to support a major international programme to assist Zimbabwe’s recovery.

Defence

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many prisoners have been taken by UK forces in Afghanistan in each (a) week and (b) month since June 2006. [156591]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: We do not operate a policy of internment in Afghanistan. UK forces do occasionally briefly detain suspected criminals so that they can be passed to the Government of Afghanistan. Our records indicate that the number of detainees that have passed through British custody between June 2006 and August 2007 are as follows:


15 Oct 2007 : Column 762W
Month Week Number

2006

July

10-16

1

17-23

3

August/September

28-03

7 (September)

11-17

1

18-24

8

October

23-29

1

October/November

30-05

1 (November)

2007

January

08-14

1

15-21

5

February

12-18

12

19-25

2

March

05-11

4

April

02-08

5

09-15

1

April/May

30-06

3 (April) 6 (May)

14-20

4

May/June

28-03

1 (May)

04-10

2

11-17

5

18-24

3

June/July

25-01

1 (July)

02-08

8

09-15

7

16-22

3

23-29

2

July/August

30-05

17 (July)

06-12

3

20-26

1

August/September

27-02

7 (August)

Total

125


Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) 5.56 mm, (b) 7.62 mm and (c) 105 mm rounds have been discharged in Afghanistan by British forces since June 2006. [157026]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The number of rounds of these types of ammunition used by UK forces in Afghanistan from June 2006 to the end of September 2007 are as follows:

Ammunition type Number of rounds discharged

5.56 mm

Approx 1.1 million rounds

7.62 mm

Approx 1.6 million rounds

105 mm high explosive

Approx 12,000 rounds


Armed Forces: Casualties

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the regulations governing the return of fatalities to the UK; whether they are transported on aircraft carrying soldiers; and whether coffins are transported in view of travelling personnel. [157164]

Des Browne: Military aircraft involved in the repatriation of a fatality do not normally carry passengers unless it is judged operationally essential, for example when injured personnel require aeromedical evacuation. When injured personnel or other passengers are aboard, a screen is placed across the aircraft to separate them from the coffin carrying the deceased. Any additional personnel would also disembark separately, prior to the repatriation ceremony.

Armed Forces: Prisons

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency plans exist for using the armed forces to replace prison guards during a strike. [157048]


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Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Service personnel are only used to provide cover during industrial disputes such as prison strikes as a last resort. There are accordingly no armed forces personnel on permanent stand-by to provide cover for striking prison officers. In the event of a strike, HM Prison Service will explore all available options, with armed forces personnel being used only if necessary.

Chad

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he had with his European counterparts on a European Union military mission to Chad during the meeting of Defence Ministers in Evora, Portugal, 28 September; and if he will make a statement. [157037]

Des Browne: I discussed issues relating to force generation and funding for the planned EU-led military mission to Chad/Central African Republic, although no decisions were taken. I emphasised that the UK supports the mission as an important contribution to regional stability and a resolution to the Darfur crisis, but we have made it clear that the role of the UK armed forces in any mission will be very limited given the extent of our commitments elsewhere.

Departments: Public Expenditure

Mr. Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department’s (a) administrative expenditure, (b) other current expenditure, (c) grant expenditure, (d) operating appropriations in aid (A in A), (e) capital and (f) non-operating A in A outturn, broken down in (i) near cash and (ii) non-cash terms, was for financial years 2001-02 to 2006-07. [156001]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I will write to the right hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Prime Minister's statement of 8 October 2007, Official Report, columns 21-38, on Iraq, where the 2,500 British personnel in Iraq will be based from spring 2008 providing the security conditions on the ground in Iraq to permit the reduction of British military forces. [157133]

Des Browne: From spring 2008, around 2,500 British forces personnel will be based in southern Iraq, with the majority located at the contingency operating base at Basra air station.

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the current mission objectives are of British forces operating along the Iraq-Iran border. [157134]

Des Browne: The mission objectives are to enhance border security and deter and intercept the smuggling of illegal weapons through the training and mentoring of Department of Border Enforcement personnel and by discrete supporting operations.


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Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his American counterpart on the future security of the Iraq-Iran border. [157135]

Des Browne: I hold regular discussions with the US Defense Secretary on issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Iraq.

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his assessment is of the security situation in (a) Basra, (b) Maysan, (c) Dhi Qar and (d) Al Muthanna. [157139]

Des Browne: While there are still problems and challenges to be overcome, the general security situation in Basra province remains relatively stable and attacks against coalition forces have reduced sharply in recent months. Crime rates in Basra during September remain similar to the levels prior to the handover of Basra palace to Iraqi control. Where security incidents have occurred, the Iraqi security forces, under the leadership of General Mohan, have demonstrated their ability to deal with them swiftly and effectively.

The three other provinces in Multi-National Division South East are all under provincial Iraqi control. The overall security situation in all three is generally stable, and where isolated incidents of violence have occurred, the Iraqi security forces have again demonstrated that they are well able to deal with them effectively.

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his American counterpart on the use by British forces of the American military base Camp Arifjan in Kuwait; and if he will make a statement. [157143]

Des Browne: I have regular discussions with my US counterpart on issues of mutual interest, including the deployment of British forces in support of Operation Telic.

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which private contractors provided force protection for British forces in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan in each year since 2001, broken down by company. [157144]

Des Browne: The MOD has not employed private military or security companies to provide force protection for its military personnel deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan. ArmorGroup was contracted to provide guards for the UK Defence Advisers' accommodation in Kabul for three months.

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the reduction of British forces from 4,500 to 4,000 mentioned in the Prime Minister's statement on Iraq, 8 October 2007, Official Report, columns 21-38, will result in the difference of 500 troops being (a) sent home to the United Kingdom or (b) to another base outside Iraq but still in the region; and if he will make a statement. [157145]

Des Browne [holding answer 11 October 2007]: The Prime Minister made clear the position with respect to
15 Oct 2007 : Column 765W
future UK force levels in southern Iraq in his statement to the House on 8 October.

Reductions in UK force levels in Southern Iraq below the level of 4,500 are planned to result in troops being withdrawn from the region to their home bases in the UK and Germany.

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what date the 500 British Armed Forces logistics personnel mentioned in the Prime Minister's statement on Iraq of 8 October 2007, Official Report, columns 21-38, will enter the area of operations. [157146]

Des Browne [holding answer 11 October 2007]: The move of logistics and support personnel out of Iraq will straddle the roulement of UK forces. As a result some will transfer from Basra while others may deploy directly from the UK or Germany. It is not possible to provide a breakdown at this stage. It is planned that this process will be complete by the end of the year.

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cap badge is of the military personnel performing force protection duties at Basra airfield. [157147]

Des Browne [holding answer 11 October 2007]: Force Protection arrangements at Basra airfield are complex, multi layered and constantly evolving to respond to the changing security situation. Royal Air Force, British Army and coalition personnel contribute to this in many different roles. It is not practicable to give the cap badge of every military personnel involved at any particular time.

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what date British forces will total 4,000 personnel in Iraq. [157149]

Des Browne [holding answer 11 October 2007]: The drawdown of forces to 4,000 is conditions-based. No date has been set.

Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where the 1,000 personnel to be withdrawn from Iraq are to be located following their withdrawal. [157214]

Des Browne: 500 troops are in the process of returning to home bases now. The process of moving 500 logistic and support staff from Iraq to elsewhere in the region will also begin shortly. This process will extend over the next roulement of forces. Some troops will reposition directly from Iraq and others will return to the UK and will be replaced by troops who will deploy from UK and Germany to new locations in the region. It is not possible to determine the precise breakdown at this stage.

Further reductions will involve troops returning to their home bases.


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