§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) plans and (b) provision his Department has made for transporting troops no longer involved in active operational duties in the Gulf back to the UK; what the timetable is for returning troops home; and if he will make a statement. [110542]
§ Mr. IngramUnited Kingdom Military Campaign Objectives contain a commitment to withdraw British Military Forces from Iraq as soon as practicable. Regular announcements on 11 April 2003,Official Report, columns 38–39WS, 30 Apri12003, Official Report, columns 15–16WS and 11 June 2003, Official Report, columns 52–53WS, have been made outlining in some detail the plans and arrangements for moving UK forces to and from the Middle East, and these will continue.
The planning process is dynamic and we will continue to review our force levels to ensure that we maintain an appropriate military presence for as long as is necessary.