| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
24 Nov 2008 : Column 887W—continued
Defence
Afghanistan: Armed Forces
Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what resources the Government have provided for the training of local militias in Afghanistan. [238210]
Mr. Hutton: The UK Government are not involved in the training of local militias in Afghanistan. We do however provide personnel (both military and civilian) and funding to train and mentor the Afghan National Security Forces.
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contacts there have been between British forces and the Taliban in Helmand province in each of the last 12 months. [230161]
Mr. Hutton: The number of direct engagements (regardless of the instigator) involving the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and insurgents in Helmand province in each of the last 12 complete months are as follows:
| Number of attacks involving coalition forces | |
ISAF forces operating in Helmand come from a number of different nations which often operate closely alongside each other. These forces also operate very closely alongside Afghan army and police units. Without undertaking a detailed assessment of each engagement, it is not possible precisely to define in every case whether an attack was aimed at UK forces, at our ISAF partners, or against Afghan units. Data are therefore collected on the number of incidents involving ISAF forces in Helmand without attempting to identify the nationality of the forces actually being attacked. The environment also
makes it extremely difficult precisely to distinguish between incidents initiated by insurgent forces and those initiated by ISAF.
These data are based on information derived from a number of sources and can only be an estimate, not least because of the difficulties in ensuring a consistent interpretation of the basis for collating statistics in a complex fast-moving multinational operational environment.
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how UK armed forces plan to contribute to NATO's anti-narcotics strategy in Helmand province. [236112]
Mr. Hutton: UK forces in Afghanistan, as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force mission, will support Afghan National Security Forces in targeting those parts of the illegal narcotics trade with a proven link to the insurgency. This support will continue to be provided in response to direct requests from the Government of Afghanistan and within existing means and capabilities.
Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many of the 13 personnel who were seriously injured in Afghanistan in 2006 (a) have received no compensation, (b) are awaiting a decision on their compensation claim and (c) have already received compensation; [236625]
(2) how many of the 40 personnel who were seriously injured in Afghanistan in 2007 (a) have received no compensation, (b) are awaiting a decision on their compensation claim and (c) have already received compensation; [236634]
(3) how many of the 23 personnel who were very seriously injured in Afghanistan in 2007 (a) have received no compensation, (b) are still awaiting a decision on their compensation claim and (c) have received compensation. [236638]
Mr. Kevan Jones: Of the 13 personnel who were seriously injured in Afghanistan during 2006, nine personnel have made a claim for compensation under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).
Of the 40 personnel who were seriously injured in Afghanistan during 2007, 33 personnel have made a claim for compensation under the AFCS.
Of the 23 personnel who were very seriously injured (VSI) in Afghanistan during 2007, 22 personnel have made a claim for compensation under the AFCS.
Welfare staff at Headley Court, Selly Oak hospital and other units offer advice to our injured personnel on the most appropriate time to apply for compensation.
Table 1, as follows, presents the number of individuals that (a) have made no claim under the AFCS, (b) are awaiting a decision on their compensation claim under the AFCS and (c) have already received compensation under the AFCS. Figures are presented by severity and year of injury in Afghanistan. Figures presented are as at 13 November 2008.
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to change overall UK troop numbers in Afghanistan in the next 12 months. [238457]
Mr. Hutton: On 16 June 2008, Official Report, columns 675-79, we announced an uplift in force levels in Afghanistan to bring our commitment to around 8,000. We do not comment on future troop deployments but our force levels are kept under regular review by Chiefs and Ministers as part of routine defence business.
Africa: Piracy
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to counteract piracy off the coast of Africa. [238141]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The Government’s stance on piracy has been reviewed. This has resulted in a move to a more proactive posture whereby Royal Navy units in the region will actively seek out pirates, and we have issued them with more robust guidance to deal with any pirates encountered. The Royal Navy contributes to counter-piracy operations through three international efforts:
The UK is already engaged in efforts to combat acts of piracy off Somalia, through the Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, which has established a Maritime Security Patrol Area in the Gulf of Aden. CTF 150 units in this area, including Royal Navy vessels, are actively conducting operations to counter destabilising activities primarily aimed at deterring and disrupting acts of piracy.
Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, including attached Royal Navy units, has also deployed to the region with a mandate which includes counter-piracy. Last week HMS Cumberland, currently deployed with NATO, deterred several suspected pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Royal Navy subsequently captured and handed over eight suspected pirates to Kenyan authorities.
We have also supported EU planning for a counter-piracy naval operation off the coast of Somalia, and on 14 October the EU Political and Security Committee decided to accept the offer made by the UK to provide the operation commander and the operation HQ (the Multinational Headquarters at Northwood). On 10 November EU Foreign and Defence Ministers met at the General Affairs and External Relations Council and agreed the joint action to set up the EU mission. A further joint action to launch the mission is expected in early December. The UK offer is subject to sufficient forces being generated for an operation likely to begin in December.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what UK forces are stationed off the east African coast to deal with piracy in the area. [238142]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The UK is currently supporting two international efforts to counter piracy off the Horn of Africa and is involved in planning a third. Currently HMS Cumberland is deployed as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 which has a mandate that includes counter-piracy operations and World Food Programme escort. HMS Kent and RFA Wave Knight are deployed with Combined Task Force 150 which is conducting operations to counter destabilising activity in the Gulf of Aden. HMS Northumberland is currently attached to CTF 150 pending attachment to the planned EU counter-piracy mission which is anticipated to start in December.
Armed Conflict: Monuments
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether (a) the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and (b) another organisation maintains a list of the names of fallen service personnel recorded on major war memorials; whether the names of those on the plaques removed by thieves from the Plymouth Royal Naval Memorial in 2008 were independently recorded; whether the stolen plaques have been (i) recovered and (ii) replaced; and if he will make a statement. [238290]
Mr. Kevan Jones: I can confirm that, under the terms of its Royal Charter, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) maintains the official lists of all Commonwealth Service personnel who died in the two World Wars and associated conflicts, covering the periods from 4 August 1914 to 31 August 1921 and 3 September 1939 to 31 December 1947. Outside of this, responsibility for commemoration rests with the relevant Commonwealth Government. The Ministry of Defence maintains the official list of names of those members of the UK armed forces who have died since 1 January 1948.
Records of the names on the Plymouth Royal Naval Memorial of Naval personnel who died in the two World Wars are held by the CWGC. The CWGC confirm that four bronze plaques were recently stolen from the memorial but have all been recovered by the police. Unfortunately two of the plaques were damaged beyond repair and replacements are being manufactured; these are expected to be available for installation by spring 2009. The two undamaged plaques are scheduled to be reinstalled on the memorial in the week beginning 24 November and alterations are being made to the installation arrangements to reduce the risk of future theft. The CWGC understand several arrests have been made in connection with the case.
There are also many war memorials in the UK and more widely around the world for those killed in the service of HM armed forces which are not official commemorations. The UK National Inventory of War Memorials—a joint initiative between the Imperial War Museum and English Heritage—lists a large number of
these but does not record the names of all those listed on them. Responsibility for these memorials lies with their owners.
Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to support the establishment of a national memorial to Bomber Command. [238572]
Mr. Kevan Jones: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my noble Friend, the then Minister for Defence, Equipment and Support, Baroness Taylor, on 19 March 2008, Official Report, column 249, in the other place.
The nation can be justly proud of the bravery and dedication of those who served in Bomber Command during World War II and of the contribution they made to the Allied victory. The Government welcome the appeal launched by the Bomber Command Association to fund a memorial in London and the Ministry of Defence is providing support by helping to ensure effective co-ordination of the various stakeholders.
Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason his Department has not established a memorial to Bomber Command in London. [238573]
Mr. Kevan Jones: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my noble Friend, the then Minister for Defence, Equipment and Support, Baroness Taylor, on 19 March 2008, Official Report, column 249, in the other place.
Armed Forces: Deployment
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the (a) armed forces, (b) Army, (c) Navy and (d) Air Force are currently engaged in (i) operations and (ii) other military tasks. [237806]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The following table shows the requested percentage of UK Service personnel deployed on operations as at 7 September 2008. The total trained strength figures that were used to calculate the percentage are for 1 September 2008. The number of personnel in theatre will naturally fluctuate on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including leave (rest and recuperation), temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, the roulement of forces and other factors.
| Percentage of trained armed forces in operations | |
| Percentage | |
| Source: DASA (Quad-Service) | |
Other military tasks encompass a wide spectrum of military duties. In its broadest sense this includes all duties carried out by Service personnel.
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK military personnel are based in Pakistan. [238273]
Mr. Hutton: There are currently 25 UK military personnel based in Pakistan.
Armed Forces: Health Services
Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with Help for Heroes on funding for rehabilitation for military casualties from (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan. [238258]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The Secretary of State and I have had several recent meetings and discussions with the chief executive of Help for Heroes about the range and quality of rehabilitation support available to our military casualties.
We continue to invest in facilities and staff at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court, as well as the Regional Rehabilitation Units, to ensure that the treatment provided to military personnel is second to none. When Help for Heroes was established last year, it announced that it intended to raise the necessary funds for a swimming pool at Headley Court. While the unit already has a hydrotherapy pool and several gyms, the new pool will be a welcome enhancement to the excellent facilities that the unit already has. Furthermore, the campaign to raise funds has offered another very real opportunity for the public to demonstrate support for our armed forces. For these reasons we warmly welcome the efforts of Help for Heroes and of the other charities that do so much in support of our servicemen and women.
We are now working closely with Help for Heroes on a project to build a new rehabilitation complex at the unit, including a pool and gym. Ministerial discussions with the charity have covered that project and related issues.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |