HC Deb 03 November 2003 vol 412 cc426-7W
22. Ross Cranston

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current security situation in Iraq. [135565]

Mr. Hoon

Although recent attacks in Iraq have received wide coverage, we should not forget that much of the country is remarkably stable. The vast majority of attacks against the coalition are concentrated in a limited area in and to the North West of Baghdad. Coalition forces, under US leadership, are working hard to counter these threats and will not be deflected from that mission. Across the country, meanwhile, increasing numbers of Iraqi police are on patrol, reconstruction continues and normal civil activities are pursued without incident.

The situation in the British area of responsibility also remains generally calm, although vigilance is still required in the face of occasional incidents.

23. Tom Brake

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the security situation in Iraq. [135566]

Mr. Hoon

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley, North (Ross Cranston).

24. Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Service personnel are deployed in Iraq. [135567]

Mr. Hoon

There are currently around 11,000 UK Service personnel serving in Iraq.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost is of munitions used by the armed forces in Iraq over the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [135379]

Mr. Ingram

The total cost of operations in Iraq during financial year 2002–03 has been published in the Departmental Resource Accounts for that year. The detailed costs of munitions consumed over the latter part of the last 12 months are still being calculated and I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Tynan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the morale of United Kingdom personnel serving with Headquarters, Combined Joint Task Force, in Baghdad. [130332]

Mr. Ingram

All Commanders constantly monitor morale as part of their duties. Within the Combined Joint Task Force-7 Headquarters in Baghdad, morale is assessed to be good.

Mr. Tynan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what secure rest and relaxation facilities are available to off-duty United Kingdom military personnel in Baghdad. [130331]

Mr. Ingra

Servicemen in Baghdad are never off-duty, but the Baghdad Support Unit has been specifically set up to provide the support needed by all British Forces in Baghdad. Given the operational circumstances, all personnel are relatively comfortably accommodated. All United Kingdom staff have access to elements of the Operational Welfare Package including internet, welfare phones, radio, TV and sports equipment. Rest and Relaxation (R&R) is taken out of theatre, in either the UK or Germany.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to reduce the risk to coalition troops of attacks by former Ba'athist elements and other terrorist groups in Iraq. [132133]

Mr. Ingram

Force Protection is one of the highest priorities for United Kingdom Forces. Commanders on the ground employ appropriate Force Protection measures in accordance with threat assessments. The security situation is under constant review and Commanders adapt protection measures to reflect different circumstances. Coalition partners are responsible for the provision of their own force protection.