§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the inoculation against CBW attack, to be given to Royal Naval and Royal Marines personnel in the event of hostilities against Iraq, will be different from that used during the 1990–91 Gulf War. [89877]
§ Dr. MoonieThe United Kingdom anthrax vaccine is manufactured using a process developed during the 1950s and first licensed in 1979. Anthrax vaccinations548W currently offered to United Kingdom Service personnel, and those used during the 1990–91 Gulf conflict, were both manufactured using this process. The vaccine is manufactured in accordance with the requirements of the product licence. All doses currently being administered to Service personnel will have been manufactured within the last two years.
It is not possible to immunise against chemical warfare agents.
§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has received requests from the United States for(a) Royal Navy and (b) Royal Marines resources for use in a possible military campaign against Iraq. [89881]
§ Mr. HoonAs I told the House on 25 November 2002,Official Report, column 126W, the United States approached a number of countries, including the United Kingdom, seeking support in the event that military action against Iraq proves necessary. I responded to this approach on 26 November, identifying the kind of contribution we might make, should that be required.
As I have made clear to the House, this request was part of a confidential exchange between Governments. I am withholding details of the exchange in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure that information which is appropriate for his Department to release about preparations for a military campaign against Iraq is released to the House of Commons prior to release to the media. [89885]
§ Mr. HoonAnnouncements are made in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code.
Defence Ministers take seriously their responsibilities to Parliament. I have made two oral statements to inform the House of decisions about our contingency preparations on 18 December 2002, Official Report, columns 845–58W, and 7 January 2003, Official Report, columns 23–29W.
On that occasion, I undertook to inform the House of any further decisions at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, I will continue to keep the House informed of progress in continuing preparatory activities via written ministerial statements and other appropriate means.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what UN Resolutions(a) the no-fly zone over Iraq, (b) British participation in policing it and (c) bombing as a means of enforcement or retaliation are based. [90128]
§ Mr. HoonThe Royal Air Force, alongside coalition partners, patrols the Iraqi no-fly zones in support of UNSCR 688, which demands that Saddam Hussein immediately end the brutal repression of his own people.
Coalition aircraft are authorised to respond in self-defence to sustained efforts by the Iraqi air defence system to engage our aircrew carrying out these legitimate patrols. They do so, in accordance with international law, only against Iraqi integrated air defence targets posing a direct threat to the safety of our forces.
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§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to send more troops to the Gulf; whether armoured regiments are to be sent; and what increases in naval and air forces are planned. [90328]
§ Mr. HoonI refer my hon. Friend to my recent statement on 7 January 2003,Official Report, columns 23–39, in which I announced the deployment later this month of substantial maritime forces. The vessels will conduct training in the Mediterranean with a view to proceeding to the Gulf region if and as necessary.
No decision has been taken to authorise military action against Iraq. Our military contingency planning aims to allow the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. This includes measures to ensure the availability of a range of units, and the preparation and movement of equipment that may be required. I will continue to inform Parliament at the earliest possible opportunity as and when decisions are taken to deploy additional forces.
The Ministry of Defence also routinely takes part in long-planned exercises in the Gulf region at the invitation of Governments in the region with which we have strong bilateral defence relationships. Recent media reporting has confused this with deployments for potential military action against Iraq.