§ Jeremy CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of(a) military and (b) civilian casualties as a result of coalition forces bombing in Afghanistan. [11436]
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 30 October 2001]: It is impossible to know for certain how many casualties, either military or civilian, there have been as a result of coalition action in Afghanistan. The Taliban's claims of casualties cannot be taken at face value.
Military action inevitably carries risks, but as I have made clear in the House, our targeting and weapons selection processes are rigorous. Every effort is made to avoid civilian casualties.
433W