§ Richard Younger-RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of British unexploded munitions in Iraq have been cleared; and when this work will be completed. [125698]
§ Mr. IngramUnited Kingdom and other coalition armed forces and non-Governmental organisation teams have been engaged in explosive ordnance disposal tasks since before the end of the conflict in Iraq. It is not yet possible to say either what percentage of British unexploded munitions have been cleared or when all the work will be completed. To date, UK and other coalition explosive ordnance disposal teams in the UK area of operation have completed over 1,500 tasks and destroyed over 500,000 individual munitions. Those munitions include not only those dropped or fired by coalition forces, but also many from the Iraq-Iran war as well as mines laid, ordnance fired or dropped, and stores of ammunition and other ordnance left by Iraqi military and paramilitary forces.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much ordnance was released by British aircraft over Iraq in(a) February and (b) 1 to 20 March; on how many occasions during these periods coalition aircraft were responding in self-defence; and if he will make a statement; [129147]
(2) how much ordnance has been released in each month by coalition aircraft over Iraq since 21 March; and if he will make a statement.[129148]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 11 September 2003]: During February, five weapons were released by United Kingdom aircraft over Iraq. A further four weapons were released in the period 1–19 March. All of these weapons were released in self-defence. Warfighting commenced on 20 March. In the period 20–31 March, United Kingdom aircraft released 518 weapons over Iraq. A further 396 weapons were released from 1–30 April. UK aircraft dropped no ordnance after 30 April. Weapons released by other coalition partners' aircraft during the warfighting is a matter for them.
§ Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the duties of Dr. David Kelly were. [130515]
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§ Mr. HoonDr. Kelly was a special adviser to the Director of Counter Proliferation and Arms Control within the Ministry of Defence. Dr. Kelly's duties have been described in both written and oral evidence to the Hutton Inquiry which has been published on its website at www.the-hutton-inquiry.org.uk.
§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 7 May,Official Report, column 724W, what the current usage of British medical assets in Iraq is. [119216]
§ Mr. CaplinAs at 1 September, 23 beds were occupied at MND (SE) field hospital by United Kingdom personnel and two beds were occupied at the UK medical facility in Al Amarah.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institution in Iraq(a) during the recent conflict and (b) post-conflict. [120741]
§ Mr. IngramThe NAAFI has played an important role both during, and after, the recent conflict in Iraq. The organisation entered Iraq soon after the fighting started, offering a range of products from mobile containers. Now, NAAFI stores are located in more permanent facilities, which will continue to be upgraded over time.