HC Deb 19 April 2004 vol 420 cc11-2W
Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the date of each briefing he has received on the weapons of mass destruction capabilities of Iraq since March 2002; and what the source of the briefing was in each case. [156643]

Mr. Hoon

I received briefings from a variety of sources and took part in various discussions that included reference to Iraqi capability, including assessed weapons of mass destruction capability, during the period in question. However, the exact dates and content are not recorded centrally.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average length of a rotation in Iraq for British Service men and women has been. [165556]

Mr. Ingram

Army personnel normally serve in Iraq for six months, and RAF personnel for four months. In some cases, individuals may serve for longer or shorter tours due to the specific demands of some posts or for career management requirements.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Territorial Army personnel have served in Iraq; [165557]

(2) for how much longer he expects that Territorial Army personnel will be required to serve in Iraq. [165617]

Mr. Ingram

As at l April 2004, approximately 6,170 Territorial Army personnel have been mobilised on Operation Telic, the vast majority of whom will have served in Iraq.

In line with the tenets of the Strategic Defence Review, Territorial Army personnel will be considered for Service in Iraq, for as long as a British military presence is deemed necessary.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) part-time military personnel and (b) Territorial Army personnel are stationed in Iraq. [165558]

Mr. Ingram

There are no part-time military personnel stationed in Iraq. However, as at 31 March 2004 there were 989 reservists stationed in Iraq, of whom 938 were members of the Territorial Army.