§ Baroness Ramsay of Cartvaleasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to publish the MoD's initial findings on the recent military campaign in Iraq. [HL3856]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach)The Ministry of Defence is publishing todayOperations in Iraq 2003: First Reflections, an initial report on the recent combat operations in Iraq. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House and in the Vote Office.
This initial report provides an authoritative account of the campaign and the contribution which has been made by the UK's Armed Forces. It also reflects on the early conclusions which we can draw from the combat 11WA operations and their implications for future defence policy.
Within the Ministry of Defence, a thorough examination is under way into all elements of the operations in Iraq, and gathering evidence from those involved at all levels. Detailed analysis—to inform a definitive assessment of the effectiveness of our equipment, military strategy and planning processes—will take some months to complete. The reflections in this report are therefore inevitably broad and of a provisional nature. We hope to publish a full report before the end of the year.
Our Armed Forces are continuing to perform a vital and difficult job in Iraq, helping the Iraqi people to establish a functioning infrastructure and creating the conditions for a stable new government. We pay tribute to their magnificent work, which is demonstrating once again the exceptional quality and dedication of our servicemen and women.