§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service people have been given warning orders for both Operation Fresco and possible operations in Iraq. [92804]
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 23 January 2003]: Over time it has been necessary to make adjustments to the forces allocated to Operation Fresco to ensure that those units that may be required for contingent operations elsewhere were available for duty. Most recently, elements of 16 Air Assault Brigade have been withdrawn from Operation Fresco in a phased manner as they have been assigned for potential future military action in Iraq. Consequently, there are no forces assigned concurrently to both Operation Fresco and possible operations in Iraq.