§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the replacement of ordnance used during the Iraq conflict; and what changes this might imply for UK armed forces armoury. [111813]
§ Mr. IngramOrdnance usage during the Iraq conflict will be assessed by the Ministry of Defence as part of its wider post-operational assessment It is too soon to say how this might affect the United Kingdom armoury.
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the helicopters deployed to Operation Telic together with the serviceability rates for each aircraft. [111822]
§ Mr. IngramThe number of helicopters, by type, deployed to Operation TELIC is listed.
Helicopter type Number deployed to operation TELIC Chinook 20 Gazelle 16 Lynx Mk 3 6 Lynx Mk 7 22 Lynx Mk 8 4 Lynx Mk 9 2 Merlin Mk 1 4 Puma 7 Sea King Mk 4 10 Sea King Mk 6 6 Sea King Mk 7 4 Post operational reporting will provide analysis and assessment of the performance of equipment deployed on operations in Iraq. It would, therefore, be premature for me to provide a detailed assessment of the performance of helicopters at this stage. However, early indications are that the helicopters deployed to Operation TELIC performed very well.
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the operational effectiveness of the containers handling rough terrain during Operation Telic; and what the average time was for moving containers. [111825]
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§ Mr. IngramThere are two types of container handling equipment in theatre, the Rough Terrain Container Handling and the Container Handling Rough Terrain. The two pieces of equipment have provided a complementary capability, both have played a vital role in the logistical operations in the Gulf. Data on the length of time taken to move a container is not recorded.
§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what steps are being taken to destroy unexploded munitions in Iraq; [111918]
(2) what steps are being taken to protect (a) children and (b) adults from unexploded munitions in Iraq. [111919]
§ Mr. IngramBasra and its environs are likely to contain a significant number of unexploded munitions from the Iran-Iraq war as well as mines laid by Iraqi forces, unexploded ordnance fired or dropped during recent hostilities and stores of ammunition and other ordnance left by Iraqi military and paramilitary forces.Providing a safe, secure and risk free environment for the Iraqi people is a key aspect of restoration activity for the Coalition. When unexploded munitions are discovered Coalition forces' mark the site and inform those in the vicinity. Their normal practice is then to destroy them in situ. Those that present the greatest threat to human life and coalition operations are destroyed first.
§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the UK naval base in Gibraltar was fully utilised for operations in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [112009]
§ Mr. IngramThe Gibraltar naval base was employed in support of recent operations in Iraq. Some vessels from the Naval Task Group headed by HMS Ark Royal called at Gibraltar en route to the Gulf and elements of the Air Group also embarked via Gibraltar as the Task Group transited east.
§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what problems have been reported with desert boots issued to members of the armed forces serving in Operation Telic. [112028]
§ Mr. IngramNo problems have been reported to date through the official defect reporting system regarding desert boots issued to members of our armed forces serving in Kuwait or Iraq.
§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance is being given by(a) the Royal Marines and (b) the Royal Navy to facilitate the reconstruction of Iraq. [112250]
§ Mr. IngramThe Royal Navy and Royal Marines have played a crucial role in facilitating the reconstruction of Iraq. In particular, their efforts alongside United States forces in liberating the port of Umm Qasr, and in clearing the Khawr Abd Allah waterway of mines and obstructions should be commended. Umm Qasr is one of the key points of entry for humanitarian aid into Iraq, and RFA Sir Galahad, carrying food, water and medical supplies, arrived in the port on 28 March.