HC Deb 30 April 2002 vol 384 cc745-6W
Patrick Mercer

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by when(a) 45 Cd. RM and (b) I R Anglian will be relieved or replaced. [53051]

Mr. Hoon

Although there is a planning assumption of three months, the deployment of 45 Commando Royal Marines will last as long as it takes to deal with the continuing threat. If it becomes necessary to replace the Royal Marines in-theatre, that decision will have to be taken according to the circumstances on the ground. The 1 Royal Anglian tour as part of the International Security Assistance Force began officially on 15 March 2002 and will probably last into June.