§ Lord Varleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What continuing preparatory activities are currently under way with regard to Iraq. [HL1046]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach)In the oral Statement made by my right honourable friend the Defence Secretary (Mr Hoon) to the House on 7 January (Official Report, col. 23) in another place we announced the deployment of naval and amphibious forces, including 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines with all supporting elements. They will conduct training in the Mediterranean with a view to proceeding to the Gulf region if and as required.
3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines will have an integral reconnaissance capability. This will be provided by a number of tracked vehicles. These will 26WA be moved by ship and loading will begin shortly. Dispatch of Royal Marines personnel and other equipment by air will also begin shortly.
In parallel, preparatory activity continues to ensure the availability and readiness of a range of military options, should they be required. This includes continuing planning activity, exploratory visits and liaison with other military staffs in the region. It also includes the preparation, movement and deployment of enabling equipment that might be required in the event of operations, including logistics, engineering, signals and command vehicles and equipment. This will involve major road movements in the United Kingdom and Germany and the loading of ships, which will sail in the next few days.
As soon as any decision to deploy additional British combat forces to the region is taken, we will inform the House at the earliest opportunity.