§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to protect UK troops against the potentially toxic environment of Iraq. [95914]
§ Dr. MoonieOperational planning takes into account the risk of exposure of British troops to potentially toxic environments. Force protection measures include physical protection, medical countermeasures and dissemination of information on individual protective measures to be taken against specific identified threats.
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§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he is planning to introduce the new chemical and biological weapon detection systems for possible operations in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [97495]
§ Mr. HoonThere are a number of new chemical and biological detection systems due to enter service soon and be available for possible military action in Iraq. I am withholding the details of these systems under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information which relates to national security.
§ Mr. WoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to establish the number of civilian casualties caused by British military action taken in enforcement of the Iraqi no-fly zones; and if he will make a statement. [97648]
§ Mr. IngramWe conduct extensive analysis after every response made in self-defence by coalition aircraft patrolling the No Fly Zones.
Coalition aircrew only ever respond in self-defence against military targets. When attacks by Iraqi air defences force coalition aircraft to respond in this way we go to great lengths to ensure that the risk of civilian casualties is minimised. Targets are selected with extreme care and precision guided weapons are used.
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans exist for the transport of military casualties back to the UK in the event of hostilities in Iraq; what aircraft will be used; and what the estimated journey time is. [97790]
§ Dr. MoonieThe transport of military casualties from theatres to the United Kingdom is a well planned and practised procedure. In the event of hostilities in Iraq, military casualties will be taken from Kuwait City International Airport to Cyprus in a military VC10 with a flight time of four hours. They will then be transferred from Cyprus to the United Kingdom by commercial aircraft again with a flight time of four hours.
§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on NATO policy in respect of Iraq. [98040]
§ Mr. IngramAt the Prague Summit in November 2002, the NATO Allies committed themselves to take effective action to assist and support the efforts of the United Nations to ensure full and immediate compliance by Iraq, without conditions or restrictions, with UN Security Council Resolution 1441. This remains the NATO policy.