§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of Parachute Regiment personnel deployed in Afghanistan were Territorial Army; and what was the overall personnel shortfall. [57878]
§ Mr. IngramA contingent from the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment was deployed to Afghanistan between 1 January and 10 April 2002. The size of the contingent was dictated by the assessment of the mission at the time. There was no personnel shortfall and therefore no need to augment the contingent from elsewhere in the Regular Army or the Territorial Army (TA). Two members of the TA from the Parachute Regiment have been mobilised for service in Afghanistan, and they have served in the brigade headquarters.
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the total costs of UK operations in Afghanistan will come from the Ministry of Defence budget; and if he will make a statement. [58863]
§ Mr. HoonAll the additional costs incurred on Operations in Afghanistan identified in 2001–02 were funded from the Conflict Prevention Pool budget and the Treasury Reserve as detailed in the Spring Supplementary Estimates 2001–02.
§ Mr. Jim MurphyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what actions British forces in Afghanistan are undertaking to destroy heroin stockpiles. [58915]
§ Mr. IngramI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 12 March 2002,Official Report, column 870W. The task force formed around 45 Commando is concentrating on operations against remnants of the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on British military involvement in Afghanistan. [59224]
§ Mr. HoonBritish troops in Afghanistan have been carrying out both security assistance and combat tasks; this dual role has not caused any significant problems. The United Kingdom has led, and made a substantial contribution to, the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul since its inception. Our troops have been widely praised for their work in helping the Interim Administration to maintain security and stability in Kabul as the Afghans begin the rebuilding of their shattered country. The number of British troops committed to ISAF in Kabul is now under 1,400, compared with 2,100 at its peak. We welcomed Turkey's announcement on 29 April that it would take over the leadership from the UK, and are finalising the arrangements.
The deployment to Afghanistan of a battlegroup of up to 1,700 troops formed around 45 Commando Royal Marines has also produced significant results. The Royal Marines have so far completed three operations. All three have contributed towards denying the terrorists the opportunity to regroup, operate, and destabilise the peace process in Afghanistan. This is vital if Afghan society is to return to normality.
613W
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was(a) the start date, (b) the conclusion date and (c) the cost of (i) Operation Ptarmigan, (ii) Operation Snipe and (iii) Operation Condor; and if he will make a statement; [58864]
(2) what the average cost is (a) per month, (b) per day and (c) in total of United Kingdom contributions to ISAF; and if he will make a statement; [58862]
(3) what the average cost is (a) per month, (b) per day and (c) in total of Royal Marine operations in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [58861]
§ Mr. HoonOperation PTARMIGAN began on 15 April and concluded on 18 April. Operation SNIPE began on 1 May and concluded on 13 May. Operation CONDOR commenced on 17 May and concluded on 22 May. The costs of these Operations cannot be separated from the overall cost of Operation JACANA.
The costs of the United Kingdom contributions to ISAF and the Royal Marines operations in Afghanistan are not incurred on a daily basis and to make such a calculation would be artificial and misleading. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as an estimate has been produced and actual monthly costs are available, and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.