§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which units will make up 19 Mechanised Brigade as it is deployed to Operation Telic 2; and when deployments will commence. [123573]
§ Mr. IngramThe following units will make up 19 (Mechanised) Brigade, during its period of deployment to Iraq:
- 19 (Mechanised) Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron
- The Regimental Headquarters and two Squadrons from the Light Dragoons
- B Squadron, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment
- 1st Battalion, the King's Regiment
- 1st Battalion, the Queen's Lancashire Regiment
- 1st Battalion the King's Own Scottish Borderers
- 4/73 Observation Post Battery from 5th Regiment Royal Artillery
- 40th Regiment Royal Artillery
- 38th Engineer Regiment (including 100 Squadron, Royal Monmouthshire,
- Royal Engineers (Militia))
The Brigade will also deploy with a Brigade Support Group, comprising of:
- 32 Brigade Support Squadron, from 3 Close Support Regiment. Royal Logistic Corps.
- 150 Provost Company, from 3 Royal Military Police
- A Close Support Company, from 5 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
- A Close Support Medical Squadron, from 3 Close Support Medical Regiment
The Brigade has already deployed to Iraq and assumed command from 7th Armoured Brigade or 28 June 2003.
500W
§ Mr. TynanTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sites in Iraq suspected of links to possible covert weapons of mass destruction programmes have been searched by(a) the Iraq Survey Group and (b) other coalition personnel; and how many identified suspect sites have yet to be searched. [121289]
§ Mr. IngramI refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary gave on 26 June 2003,Official Report, column 938W to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Paul Flynn).
§ Norman LambTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to the USA concerning incidences of 'friendly fire' against British troops in Iraq. [108850]
§ Mr. IngramWe worked closely with the United States to ensure that effective Combat Identification arrangements were in place before the start of operations in Iraq. United Kingdom forces' Combat Identification capability is compatible and comparable with that of our US allies, but regrettably no system can be 100 per cent. fail-safe.
Both incidents of "friendly fire" that occurred during operations against Iraq involving US and UK forces are the subject of Boards of Inquiry, which have now convened. But we will be looking to ensure that all parties absorb any lessons identified.
§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what US assistance was(a) requested and (b) provided in deploying logistics as part of Operation Telic. [112030]
§ Mr. IngramNo United States assistance was requested or provided in deploying logistics from the United Kingdom to the Gulf as part of Operation Telic. However, the US provided the reception process for all troops arriving in theatre and shared UK/US contracts were placed in Kuwait for services including accommodation and ablution facilities.