§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been put in place in the southern sector of Iraq under British control to secure(a) state assets and (b) archaeological sites; and what discussions he has had with (i) his United States counterpart and (ii) the Administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority on the lessons learned from securing sites and assets, including ministries, in the United States-controlled sector. [151972]
§ Mr. IngramInitially, coalition forces were committed to securing and protecting a wide variety of key cultural and public assets and sites across Iraq. However, as Iraqi authorities have steadily regained capability, they have taken on increasing responsibility for securing and protecting their own assets and sites (administrative, economic and cultural). While coalition forces remain on hand to assist and support those elements of the Iraqi Security Forces involved in this work, the day-to-day security of these assets and sites is now, as it should be, in the hands of Iraqis.
In the course of discussions with my US counterpart and the CPA, we keep arrangements for the security and protection of key cultural and public assets under review.
§ Mr. SoamesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the timing of the completion of the Status of Force Agreement for British troops in Iraq. [153515]
§ Mr. IngramThe arrangements under which British forces will remain in Iraq after 30 June 2004 are still under discussion.
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the numbers of British service personnel based in Iraq. [156993]
§ Mr. IngramThere are currently around 8,000 UK service personnel serving in Iraq.