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Lord Drayson
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Drayson, Lord (396)
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To ask Her Majesty's Government what lessons have been learnt from casualties caused by "friendly fire" in (a) Afghanistan, and (b) Iraq, in order to reduce such instances in the future.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what lessons have been learnt from casualties caused by "friendly fire" in (a) Afghanistan, and (b) Iraq, in order to reduce such instances in the future.
Asked by
Baroness Quin
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
25 January 2010
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) deeply regrets each death or injury caused by "friendly fire" or fratricide. After every such incident we carry out a thorough investigation as we would for any other death in service, initially led by the local commander and subsequently by the military chain of command. We also take careful note of the recommendations of service inquiries and coroners' inquests, and track their implementation through a single service or joint lessons register.
Additionally, the MoD maintains a Combat Identification Steering Group which meets every six months to ensure that all three services have coherent procedures and equipment to reduce fratricide.
The common causes identified in friendly fire incidents are:
Mistakenly identifying friendly forces for enemy—in the confusion of battle, the ground commander can sometimes mistake friendly forces for enemy forces and call for fire support (fast jets, helicopters, heavy weapons and artillery) against them.
Procedures not followed correctly—our Armed Forces have very effective procedures for minimising fratricide when calling for fire support. When these are not followed fully then errors can be made e.g. when the map reference of the location to be fired on is not confirmed with the ground forces before firing. Research is currently under way into the human factors which cause such errors.
Loss of situational awareness—in the confusion of a battle, fire support elements can lose track of where enemy and friendly forces are positioned (in military parlance, their situational awareness). To counteract this, fire support will be "talked on" to their target by friendly forces involved in the battle with a verbal description of the target. Some incidents of fratricide result from a misunderstanding of the verbal description provided.
The key lessons learnt are in three major categories:
Collective training and multinational interoperability —many fratricides occur when unfamiliar units are suddenly forced to work together. This usually arises from necessity, as when troops come under fire and call for close air support. In this situation the nearest available air asset will be directed to assist and thus the pilot may not immediately recognise the friendly force.
To minimise the risk of fratricide from such incidents our Armed Forces place considerable emphasis on joint training at every level before deployment, and on familiarisation with the equipment and procedures of coalition allies both prior to deployment and in theatre.
For the occasions when unfamiliar forces must work together, the UK is actively engaged with our NATO partners on developing equipment and procedures for combat identification. To test candidate technical solutions, the UK participated in a multinational combat identification exercise in October and November last year involving ground troops and fast air support from 12 nations.
Time lag of data in tactical communications and information systems—due to technological limitations, real time flow of information can never be achieved: there is always some delay (known as latency) in the transmission or refreshing of the information available to our forces, which could contribute to "friendly fire" incidents.
Shared situational awareness—the three services (and our coalition partners) have different requirements for information about the tactical situation which lead to different amounts of delay between an entity being reported at a particular location and the report of that position being received. UK ground and air forces therefore use different systems to display information about the current tactical situation. Some fratricide incidents have occurred which may have been caused by differences in the information available to the various parties. The MoD is putting significant effort into supplying near-real time force tracking information to tactical operations rooms and has made considerable progress in the last three months. The upgrade of Bowman in Afghanistan next year will also help to ensure that ground forces have a common and up-to-date understanding of the tactical situation.
Subjects
Armed forces; Armed conflict; Accidents; Casualties; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan
Date
25 January 2010
Reference
1063; 716 c283-4WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government what common causes have been identified in "friendly fire" incidents in Afghanistan and Iraq.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what common causes have been identified in "friendly fire" incidents in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Asked by
Baroness Quin
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
25 January 2010
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) deeply regrets each death or injury caused by "friendly fire" or fratricide. After every such incident we carry out a thorough investigation as we would for any other death in service, initially led by the local commander and subsequently by the military chain of command. We also take careful note of the recommendations of service inquiries and coroners' inquests, and track their implementation through a single service or joint lessons register.
Additionally, the MoD maintains a Combat Identification Steering Group which meets every six months to ensure that all three services have coherent procedures and equipment to reduce fratricide.
The common causes identified in friendly fire incidents are:
Mistakenly identifying friendly forces for enemy—in the confusion of battle, the ground commander can sometimes mistake friendly forces for enemy forces and call for fire support (fast jets, helicopters, heavy weapons and artillery) against them.
Procedures not followed correctly—our Armed Forces have very effective procedures for minimising fratricide when calling for fire support. When these are not followed fully then errors can be made e.g. when the map reference of the location to be fired on is not confirmed with the ground forces before firing. Research is currently under way into the human factors which cause such errors.
Loss of situational awareness—in the confusion of a battle, fire support elements can lose track of where enemy and friendly forces are positioned (in military parlance, their situational awareness). To counteract this, fire support will be "talked on" to their target by friendly forces involved in the battle with a verbal description of the target. Some incidents of fratricide result from a misunderstanding of the verbal description provided.
The key lessons learnt are in three major categories:
Collective training and multinational interoperability —many fratricides occur when unfamiliar units are suddenly forced to work together. This usually arises from necessity, as when troops come under fire and call for close air support. In this situation the nearest available air asset will be directed to assist and thus the pilot may not immediately recognise the friendly force.
To minimise the risk of fratricide from such incidents our Armed Forces place considerable emphasis on joint training at every level before deployment, and on familiarisation with the equipment and procedures of coalition allies both prior to deployment and in theatre.
For the occasions when unfamiliar forces must work together, the UK is actively engaged with our NATO partners on developing equipment and procedures for combat identification. To test candidate technical solutions, the UK participated in a multinational combat identification exercise in October and November last year involving ground troops and fast air support from 12 nations.
Time lag of data in tactical communications and information systems—due to technological limitations, real time flow of information can never be achieved: there is always some delay (known as latency) in the transmission or refreshing of the information available to our forces, which could contribute to "friendly fire" incidents.
Shared situational awareness—the three services (and our coalition partners) have different requirements for information about the tactical situation which lead to different amounts of delay between an entity being reported at a particular location and the report of that position being received. UK ground and air forces therefore use different systems to display information about the current tactical situation. Some fratricide incidents have occurred which may have been caused by differences in the information available to the various parties. The MoD is putting significant effort into supplying near-real time force tracking information to tactical operations rooms and has made considerable progress in the last three months. The upgrade of Bowman in Afghanistan next year will also help to ensure that ground forces have a common and up-to-date understanding of the tactical situation.
Subjects
Armed forces; Armed conflict; Accidents; Casualties; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan
Date
25 January 2010
Reference
1064; 716 c283-4WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government on what occasions the Prime Minister has visited a Royal Air Force base to honour those killed in Iraq or Afghanistan.
To ask Her Majesty's Government on what occasions the Prime Minister has visited a Royal Air Force base to honour those killed in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Asked by
Viscount Waverley
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
12 November 2009
Repatriation ceremonies at RAF bases are primarily military in nature and the current protocols reflect this. The Prime Minister and other government Ministers have accepted the advice of the service chiefs that these ceremonies are very much an occasion for the families and the military to pay their respects.
Subjects
Armed forces; Casualties; Air force; Iraq; Prime Minister; Peacekeeping operations; Military bases; Afghanistan; Domestic visits
Date
12 November 2009
Reference
6190; 714 c231WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the names, ages and, where appropriate, regiments, of all military and civilian United Kingdom nationals who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan since 1 May 2007.
asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the names, ages and, where appropriate, regiments, of all military and civilian United Kingdom nationals who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan since 1 May 2007.
Asked by
Lord Roberts of Llandudno
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
30 October 2007
The figures requested concerning UK military and civilian fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan between 1 May 2007 and 7 October 2007 are as follows:
| UK military fatalities in Iraq | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Name | Age | Regiment |
| 21 September | Sgt Mark Stansfield | 32 | Royal Logistics Corps |
| 5 September | Sgt Eddie Collins | 33 | Parachute Regiment |
| 9 August | LSgt Chris Casey | 27 | Irish Guards |
| 9 August | LCpl Kirk Redpath | 22 | Irish Guards |
| 7 August | LAC Martin Beard | 20 | Royal Air Force Regiment |
| 6 August | Pte Craig Barber | 20 | Royal Welsh |
| 31 July | Cpl Steve Edwards | 35 | Royal Tank Regiment |
| 21 July | LCpl Timothy Darren Flowers | 25 | Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers |
| 19 July | SAC Matthew Caulwell | 22 | Royal Air Force Regiment |
| 19 July | SAC Christopher Dunsmore | 29 | Royal Air Force Regiment |
| 19 July | SAC Peter McFerran | 24 | Royal Air Force Regiment |
| 7 July | Cpl Christopher Read | 22 | Royal Military Police |
| 7 July | LCpl Ryan Francis | 23 | Royal Welsh |
| 6 July | Rfn Edward Vakabua | 23 | Rifles |
| 28 June | Cpl Paul Joszko | 28 | Royal Welsh |
| 28 June | Pte Scott Kennedy | 20 | Royal Regiment of Scotland¹ |
| 28 June | Pte Jamie Kerr | 20 | Royal Regiment of Scotland¹ |
| 22 June | Cpl John Rigby | 24 | Rifles |
| 20 June | Maj Paul Harding | 48 | Rifles |
| 16 June | LCpl James Cartwright | 21 | Royal Tank Regiment |
| 7 June | Cpl Rodney Wilson | 30 | Rifles |
| 1 May | Cpl Jeremy Brookes | 28 | Rifles |
| 6 May | Pte Kevin Thompson | 21 | Royal Logistics Corps |
| 1 May | Maj Nick Bateson | 48 | Royal Corps of Signals |
| ¹ Private Scott Kennedy and Private Jamie Kerr were from the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland but were serving on attachment to the Royal Welsh at the time of their deaths. |
| UK military fatalities in Afghanistan | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Name | Age | Regiment |
| 4 October | Maj Alexis Roberts | 32 | Royal Gurkha Rifles |
| 20 September | CSgt Phillip Newman | 36 | Mercian Regiment |
| 20 September | Pte Brian Tunnicliffe | 33 | Mercian Regiment |
| 17 September | Cpl Ivano Violino | 29 | Royal Engineers |
| 8 September | Sgt Craig Brelsford | 25 | Mercian Regiment |
| 8 September | Pte Johan Botha | 25 | Mercian Regiment |
| 5 September | Pte Damian Wright | 23 | Mercian Regiment |
| 5 September | Pte Ben Ford | 18 | Mercian Regiment |
| 30 August | SAC Christopher Bridge | 20 | Royal Air Force Regiment |
| 23 August | Pte Aaron James McClure | 19 | Royal Anglian Regiment |
| 23 August | Pte Robert Graham Foster | 19 | Royal Anglian Regiment |
| 23 August | Pte John Thrumble | 21 | Royal Anglian Regiment |
| 11 August | Capt David Hicks | 26 | Royal Anglian Regiment |
| 10 August | Pte Tony Rawson | 27 | Royal Anglian Regiment |
| 29 July | LCpl Michael Jones | 26 | Royal Marines |
| 27 July | Sgt Barry Keen | 34 | Royal Corps of Signals |
| 26 July | Gdsm David Atherton | 25 | Grenadier Guards |
| 25 July | LCpl Alex Hawkins | 22 | Royal Anglian Regiment |
| 12 July | Gdsm Daryl Hickey | 27 | Grenadier Guards |
| 1 July | Sgt Dave Wilkinson | 33 | Royal Artillery |
| 30 June | Capt Sean Dolan | 40 | Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment |
| 24 June | Drummer Thomas Wright | 21 | Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment |
| 9 June | Gdsm Neil Downes | 20 | Grenadier Guards |
| 6 June | LCpl Paul Sandford | 23 | Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment |
| 30 May | Cpl Mike Gilyeat | 28 | Royal Military Police |
| 28 May | Cpl Darren Bonner | 31 | Royal Anglian Regiment |
| 26 May | Gdsm Daniel Probyn | 22 | Grenadier Guards |
| 20 May | Cpl George Russell Davey | 23 | Royal Anglian Regiment |
| 3 May | Gdsm Simon Davison | 22 | Grenadier Guards |
| UK civilian casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan |
|---|
| During the same period, one UK civilian government official died in Iraq. For reasons of confidentiality, we are unable to release specific details. |
Subjects
Armed forces; Casualties; Civilians; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan
Date
30 October 2007
Reference
5383; 695 c187-9WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the process of selection and training for military drivers in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the process of selection and training for military drivers in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Asked by
Lord Astor of Hever
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
30 October 2007
All Armed Forces personnel who are selected to drive motor vehicles on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan must hold the appropriate UK driving licence and have undergone the appropriate conversion/familiarisation training for each vehicle that they are required to drive.
Once selected for operational deployment, an individual's licence qualifications are checked against the vehicles that he/she would be required to drive. If necessary, vehicle-specific conversion and familiarisation training is given prior to deployment.
Subjects
Armed forces; Driving; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Training; Afghanistan
Date
30 October 2007
Reference
5504; 695 c189WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are planning specific new detailed measures to improve the hospital care and treatment of military personnel injured in the Iraq and Afghan conflicts.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are planning specific new detailed measures to improve the hospital care and treatment of military personnel injured in the Iraq and Afghan conflicts.
Asked by
Lord Dykes
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
30 October 2007
Since 2001, the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM), based at the University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHBFT), has been the main receiving unit for military casualties evacuated from operational theatres such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Military patients benefit from the concentration of five specialist hospitals in the Birmingham area, and receive first-class clinical care appropriate to their injuries.
Military patients have benefited enormously from the advances in medicine, including the treatment of serious wounds, over recent years. Selly Oak Hospital, part of UHBFT, is at the leading edge in the UK in the care of the most common types of injuries (such as polytrauma) that our casualties sustain. Working together, UHBFT and RCDM strive to improve on the very high standards of care already provided to military patients. A military-managed ward was created at Selly Oak at the end of 2006. Military patients are nursed together on this ward when clinically appropriate. Some 39 military nurses and healthcare assistants now work there alongside NHS civilian colleagues.
We shall carry this concept forward into the Birmingham New Hospitals project that is planned to start admitting patients in 2010. We are working closely with the NHS hospital authorities to create a military ward occupying one floor of the new hospital. The new hospital's layout offers increased opportunities for nursing military patients together on such a ward when clinically appropriate, with a nursing team that will be predominantly military. The military ward is therefore planned to offer a distinct military environment, including dedicated space for the reception of family members and other visitors to the ward, while benefiting from the clinical facilities and skills of what will be Europe's largest and most modern critical care teaching hospital.
The UK has field hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan which provide deployed hospitalisation and associated support elements, including consultant-led emergency medicine, general, trauma and orthopaedic surgery, intensive care, medium and low dependency nursing care beds and diagnostic support (including computerised tomography), as well as relevant clinical subspecialties. Specific recent or planned measures include the introduction of novel procedures and equipment for improving protocols for haemorrhage, transfusion and resuscitation; improved methods of tracking and managing wounds and associated infections, and improving telemedicine support. These improvements have been developed in conjunction with continuing research in the UK and with allied nations.
Subjects
Armed forces; Casualties; Hospitals; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Standards; Afghanistan
Date
30 October 2007
Reference
5590; 695 c174-5WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many deaths have occurred in Iraq and Afghanistan among British troops as a result of road traffic accidents which were unrelated to any military action or hostile attack at the time of the incidents.
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many deaths have occurred in Iraq and Afghanistan among British troops as a result of road traffic accidents which were unrelated to any military action or hostile attack at the time of the incidents.
Asked by
Lord Astor of Hever
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
22 October 2007
Between the commencement of military operations in Iraq and 11 October 2007, 14 UK service personnel have been killed in road traffic accidents. Over the same period in Afghanistan, five UK service personnel have been killed in road traffic accidents.
Subjects
Armed forces; Armed conflict; Accidents; Casualties; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Roads; Afghanistan; Iraq conflict
Date
22 October 2007
Reference
5503; 695 c84WA
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I really do not accept the noble Lord’s point relating to the Secretary of State for Defence; as I am sure the House is aware, the Prime Minister was accompanied on that visit by the Chief of the Defence Staff. With regard to the loss of life and the need to protect our troops as they carry out the very dangerous mission we ask of them in Iraq, we are doing absolutely everything we can to ensure that they have what they need to provide that protection. I am sure the House will accept that we have made real progress on the strategy which we set out several years ago for supporting Iraq on its path towards democratic government and for the security of the country to be handled by its own people. On the basis of that progress, we have been able to reduce the number of our troops. We expect that to continue, based on conditions as they develop.
My Lords, I really do not accept the noble Lord’s point relating to the Secretary of State for Defence; as I am sure the House is aware, the Prime Minister was accompanied on that visit by the Chief of the Defence Staff. With regard to the loss of life and the need to protect our troops as they carry out the very dangerous mission we ask of them in Iraq, we are doing absolutely everything we can to ensure that they have what they need to provide that protection. I am sure the House will accept that we have made real progress on the strategy which we set out several years ago for supporting Iraq on its path towards democratic government and for the security of the country to be handled by its own people. On the basis of that progress, we have been able to reduce the number of our troops. We expect that to continue, based on conditions as they develop.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Dykes
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, we wish to be associated with the remarks of condolence from the Minister. Is it any wonder that Des Browne decided not to accompany the Prime Minister on his recent visit to Iraq? Can the Minister promise at long last that no further needless loss of life by British military personnel will be incurred, particularly in view of the vulnerable physical nature of Basra airport and the inadequate equipment there to defend our forces properly? Is it not now time to accelerate the action of withdrawal?
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations
Date
18 October 2007
Reference
695 c787-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, first, I am sure that the House will wish to join me in offering sincere condolences to the family and friends of Lance Corporal Sarah Holmes, who died on Sunday from injuries received serving on Operation TELIC.
The Prime Minister announced last week in another place that we expect to be able to reduce the number of British forces in southern Iraq to around 2,500 from spring 2008. Decisions on the next phase will be taken at that time. We will continue to make such decisions based on conditions, and in consultation with the Iraqi Government and our coalition partners, rather than timescales.
My Lords, first, I am sure that the House will wish to join me in offering sincere condolences to the family and friends of Lance Corporal Sarah Holmes, who died on Sunday from injuries received serving on Operation TELIC.
The Prime Minister announced last week in another place that we expect to be able to reduce the number of British forces in southern Iraq to around 2,500 from spring 2008. Decisions on the next phase will be taken at that time. We will continue to make such decisions based on conditions, and in consultation with the Iraqi Government and our coalition partners, rather than timescales.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Dykes
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
When they expect all United Kingdom military forces to leave Iraq, following the recent move to Basra airport.
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations
Date
18 October 2007
Reference
695 c787
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I should point out that we have not specified the location of the support troops that we have in the region down to a particular country, so I cannot comment on the location of troops in Kuwait or other places, but I shall certainly be able to look further into the noble Lord’s point on the definition of the operational bonus. I will write to him and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.
My Lords, I should point out that we have not specified the location of the support troops that we have in the region down to a particular country, so I cannot comment on the location of troops in Kuwait or other places, but I shall certainly be able to look further into the noble Lord’s point on the definition of the operational bonus. I will write to him and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations
Date
18 October 2007
Reference
695 c788
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the noble Lord is right: the relationship between the nation-state of Iraq and its regional neighbours is fundamental. It is encouraging to see the way in which the Iraqi Government are establishing those relationships and the focus which they have on their relationships as a nation. In particular, the relationship between Iraq and Iran is fundamental. The UK Government are acting to encourage that relationship with, in particular, our forces making sure that the border between Iran and Iraq is properly policed.
My Lords, the noble Lord is right: the relationship between the nation-state of Iraq and its regional neighbours is fundamental. It is encouraging to see the way in which the Iraqi Government are establishing those relationships and the focus which they have on their relationships as a nation. In particular, the relationship between Iraq and Iran is fundamental. The UK Government are acting to encourage that relationship with, in particular, our forces making sure that the border between Iran and Iraq is properly policed.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, can the Minister say whether there has been progress in securing the co-operation of the neighbouring states? Is it not essential to have that for the future stability of Iraq?
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations
Date
18 October 2007
Reference
695 c789
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I shall try to be even clearer. Our troops are involved daily in training the Iraqi army in the operations which it must undertake to maintain security within the region. This training is conducted at all levels of the army, among the leadership and across the chain of command, and includes tactics, procedures and training on equipment. We can see from the Iraqi army’s success—particularly in the 10th Division, which is now fully set up and has taken over responsibility—that this process works well. We should not underestimate the vital importance of our troops’ work in supporting and training these forces. Most recently, the way in which they were able to handle incidents in the centre of Basra shows that the training works. We have been following this process for a number of years. We are able to withdraw troops because the Iraqi security forces are able to take over.
My Lords, I shall try to be even clearer. Our troops are involved daily in training the Iraqi army in the operations which it must undertake to maintain security within the region. This training is conducted at all levels of the army, among the leadership and across the chain of command, and includes tactics, procedures and training on equipment. We can see from the Iraqi army’s success—particularly in the 10th Division, which is now fully set up and has taken over responsibility—that this process works well. We should not underestimate the vital importance of our troops’ work in supporting and training these forces. Most recently, the way in which they were able to handle incidents in the centre of Basra shows that the training works. We have been following this process for a number of years. We are able to withdraw troops because the Iraqi security forces are able to take over.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Tonge
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, further to the Minister’s answer to the noble Lord on the Conservative Benches, can he explain exactly what our troops will be doing at Basra airport each day they are there?
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations
Date
18 October 2007
Reference
695 c789-90
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the number varies, but it is approximately 500 troops.
My Lords, the number varies, but it is approximately 500 troops.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Craig of Radley
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, the noble Lord says that he is not able to comment about troops in Kuwait or elsewhere, but can he give the House an indication of the number of service men and women who are in that theatre of operations? We keep hearing about the numbers in Iraq, but it would be helpful to everyone to know how many troops are involved overall in that theatre.
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations
Date
18 October 2007
Reference
695 c788
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
Yes, my Lords, I am very happy to do that. They are there primarily to support, mentor and train the Iraqi security forces, particularly the 14th Division of the Iraqi army. They are also there to provide back-up if required in extremis to the Iraqi troops.
Yes, my Lords, I am very happy to do that. They are there primarily to support, mentor and train the Iraqi security forces, particularly the 14th Division of the Iraqi army. They are also there to provide back-up if required in extremis to the Iraqi troops.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, can the Minister explain what the troops stationed at Basra airport are going to achieve?
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations
Date
18 October 2007
Reference
695 c789
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, responsibility for the Iraqis’ security, both internal and external, will lie with the Iraqi Government themselves. Our strategy is to develop that capability, as I said, in the Iraqi air force, navy and army. We have undoubtedly made the most progress with the Iraqi army, but all three branches of Iraq’s services need to be developed.
My Lords, responsibility for the Iraqis’ security, both internal and external, will lie with the Iraqi Government themselves. Our strategy is to develop that capability, as I said, in the Iraqi air force, navy and army. We have undoubtedly made the most progress with the Iraqi army, but all three branches of Iraq’s services need to be developed.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Earl Attlee
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, in view of the fact that the Iraqi armed forces have only an internal operating capability—we have just talked about the air force—who is responsible for securing the Iraqis’ external security?
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations
Date
18 October 2007
Reference
695 c790
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, a small team from the United Kingdom contributes to a coalition effort to redevelop the Iraqi air force to enable it to carry out counter-insurgency operations. The Iraqi air force currently has about 1,200 personnel and operates 50 aircraft. We are seeing real progress in that former members of the Iraqi air force are now rejoining, the flying training centre has been re-established, capability is increasing and they are flying an average of about 180 sorties a week.
My Lords, a small team from the United Kingdom contributes to a coalition effort to redevelop the Iraqi air force to enable it to carry out counter-insurgency operations. The Iraqi air force currently has about 1,200 personnel and operates 50 aircraft. We are seeing real progress in that former members of the Iraqi air force are now rejoining, the flying training centre has been re-established, capability is increasing and they are flying an average of about 180 sorties a week.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Lee of Trafford
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, looking further ahead, can the Minister tell the House whether there are any plans to re-establish the Iraqi air force? Are any of its former planes still serviceable? What has happened to its former pilots? Are we likely to be involved in any training, in the UK or in Iraq?
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations
Date
18 October 2007
Reference
695 c789
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the violence has decreased significantly. Of course we need to monitor the situation carefully, but the violence in Basra itself and in Iraq as a whole has decreased significantly from its peak last December. In figures, the levels of attack in September, for example, were about one-tenth what they were in the previous months.
My Lords, the violence has decreased significantly. Of course we need to monitor the situation carefully, but the violence in Basra itself and in Iraq as a whole has decreased significantly from its peak last December. In figures, the levels of attack in September, for example, were about one-tenth what they were in the previous months.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Roberts of Conwy
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lord, can the Minister give any indication of the incidence of violence in the Basra area and whether it has increased or decreased since our troops have been concentrated in Basra airport?
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations
Date
18 October 2007
Reference
695 c789
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, we are not envisaging Turkish intervention in northern Iraq. We are aware, as is the international community, of the terrorist attacks that have been undertaken by certain elements in the north, the PKK in particular. We are supporting all efforts to stop such terrorist activity, and we recognise the calm measures that the Turkish Government have taken to date in response to those attacks.
My Lords, we are not envisaging Turkish intervention in northern Iraq. We are aware, as is the international community, of the terrorist attacks that have been undertaken by certain elements in the north, the PKK in particular. We are supporting all efforts to stop such terrorist activity, and we recognise the calm measures that the Turkish Government have taken to date in response to those attacks.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Campbell-Savours
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, does that mean that we will oppose any American troops being used to sort out the problem in northern Iraq in the event of Turkish intervention?
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations
Date
18 October 2007
Reference
695 c790
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
When they expect all United Kingdom military forces to leave Iraq, following the recent move to Basra airport.
When they expect all United Kingdom military forces to leave Iraq, following the recent move to Basra airport.
Asked by
Lord Dykes
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
18 October 2007
Answered on
18 October 2007
My Lords, first, I am sure that the House will wish to join me in offering sincere condolences to the family and friends of Lance Corporal Sarah Holmes, who died on Sunday from injuries received serving on Operation TELIC.
The Prime Minister announced last week in another place that we expect to be able to reduce the number of British forces in southern Iraq to around 2,500 from spring 2008. Decisions on the next phase will be taken at that time. We will continue to make such decisions based on conditions, and in consultation with the Iraqi Government and our coalition partners, rather than timescales.
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations
Date
18 October 2007
Reference
695 c787
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the noble Lord is right to stress this issue, which is of significant concern to Her Majesty’s Government. We have been focused on the whole issue of border control between Iran and Iraq and we have put a lot of effort into training the Iraqi army in its competence in border control. On the numbers of people, I shall look into the matter and write to the noble Lord. As for publicising in a more imaginative way the arms that we have successfully captured, that is something that I shall take back to the ministry and consider.
My Lords, the noble Lord is right to stress this issue, which is of significant concern to Her Majesty’s Government. We have been focused on the whole issue of border control between Iran and Iraq and we have put a lot of effort into training the Iraqi army in its competence in border control. On the numbers of people, I shall look into the matter and write to the noble Lord. As for publicising in a more imaginative way the arms that we have successfully captured, that is something that I shall take back to the ministry and consider.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
Subjects
Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Basra
Date
9 October 2007
Reference
695 c122
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords