Afghanistan (Hansard, 11 January 2002)

§ Mr. Dalyell
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, in the circumstances of a joint patrol involving Afghan security forces and British troops, the latter would be in on-the-spot command, in the event of hostile action. [26485]

§ Mr. Hoon
Under the terms of the agreement between the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the Interim Administration, the ISAF will conduct joint patrols for liaison and familiarisation purposes but also as part of a broad objective of providing reassurance to the local population. The ISAF will also conduct independent patrols.
In patrolling together, the ISAF and Afghan Interim Administration forces will not be under joint command. The unified Command and Control arrangements under Major General McColl are clear and these will provide 1067W ISAF forces with sufficient scope to react appropriately to any attack on them. The ISAF has robust Rules of Engagement which are appropriate to its mission.
These Rules of Engagement are in accordance with international and domestic law.

§ Mr. Gray
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many troops he plans to deploy in Afghanistan; and when their deployment will be complete; [26348]
(2) if he will make a statement on the timetable for troop deployment in Afghanistan. [26353]

§ Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the UK element of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan to be fully deployed. [26674]

§ Mr. Hoon
The United Kingdom's contribution to the ISAF in Kabul will total up to 1,800 personnel. In addition and in the short term, we are deploying nearly 300 Army and Royal Air Force personnel to help repair Kabul International airport. This will help us in re-supplying the ISAF and will be of lasting benefit for the Afghan people.
I expect the UK element of the ISAF to be fully deployed by mid-February.

§ Mr. Gray
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance he has requested from the US to aid the deployment of ground troops in Afghanistan. [26351]

§ Mr. Hoon
Assuming that the hon. Member is referring to the deployment of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the United States agreed to our request for practical support for the deployment of the ISAF and they have established a liaison team at the headquarters of the force. I am withholding further details under section 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

§ Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what UK forces will be deployed in Afghanistan by Friday 11 January; and what the full UK deployment will comprise. [26673]

§ Mr. Hoon
As of 11 January, UK forces deployed as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan will comprise elements of Headquarters 3 Division and Headquarters 16 Air Assault Brigade, D Company of the 2^ndBattalion of the Parachute Regiment plus logistic, communications and other enablers.
On current plans, the full UK contribution to the ISAF will comprise up to 1,800 personnel, which in addition to the units already deployed will include the balance of the 2^nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, engineer units plus other logistic enablers.
We will also deploy sufficient personnel to activate and operate Kabul International airport.