§ The Earl of Sandwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to encourage more European Union members of NATO to contribute peace-keeping troops to the International Security and Assistance Force in Afghanistan; and with what results. [HL394]
§ Lord BachSupport to continuing stabilisation efforts in Afghanistan was discussed at the recent NATO defence ministerial meeting. All allies were urged to review their contributions to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) with a view to fill some identified shortfalls in capabilities. The force generation process for ISAF is conducted by NATO as a whole under the authority of the Secretary General.
In addition to NATO-led efforts the Government, through both the FCO and MoD, discuss support to ISAF in their bilateral meetings with European Union nations. Ten of the 11 EU members of NATO have contributed troops to the ISAF operation.
§ The Earl of Sandwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many United Kingdom troops are now based with the International Security and Assistance Force and how many are with coalition forces outside Kabul; how many of these belong to a provisional reconstruction team (PRT); and when they intend to create a second PRT outside Kabul. [HL395]
§ Lord BachThe United Kingdom currently has around 330 personnel serving with the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul. Around 100 other personnel serve with the coalition, some 90 of whom are with the provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Mazer-e Sharif.
The United Kingdom has no plans to establish a second PRT, although we continue to keep this under review.