§ Jim KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the British armed forces are engaged in operations aimed at strengthening international security and peace. [132273]
§ Mr. IngramThe Aim of the Ministry of Defence, as set out in the Public Service Agreement, is
To deliver security for the people of the United Kingdom and the Overseas Territories by defending them, including against terrorism; and to act as a force for good by strengthening international peace and stability".The two parts of this aim are interdependent and it is not possible to separate the contribution that individual members of the armed forces are making to each part. However, as at the beginning of October 2003, some 12,500 armed forces personnel and 300 Ministry of Defence civilians were deployed on operations (including United Nations operations) in Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia/Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, and Georgia; all operations directly aimed at strengthening international peace and stability.