HC Deb 31 March 2004 vol 419 cc1482-3W
Norman Lamb

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 25 February 2004, reference 153466, what surveys of public perceptions of the Ministry of Defence, the armed forces and their equipment have taken place since the start of military action in Iraq; what the(a) title and (b) nature of these surveys were; what the findings of each survey were; where these findings have been published; and if he will make a statement. [158270]

Mr. Caplin

I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers have been(a) killed in Iraq, (b) injured seriously enough to warrant a return from Iraq and (c) injured but stayed in Iraq to continue service, broken down by soldiers based in (i) Wales, (ii) England, (iii) Scotland and (iv) Northern Ireland. [158891]

Mr. Ingram

As at 25 March, 58 United Kingdom military personnel had been killed while deployed on Operation TELIC in Iraq. We record centrally only those casualties that have been medically evacuated to the United Kingdom. As at 25 March the total was 2,381. Casualties' countries of origin are not recorded centrally and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Ministry of Defence civilian staff have been used in the reconstruction of Iraq; and if he will make a statement.[158892]

Mr. Ingram

As at 21 March 2004, 67 Ministry of Defence civilians were deployed in Iraq supporting the reconstruction of the country in a number of roles including policy advice, interpreting, contracting and administrative support.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Welsh regiments have served in Iraq since the beginning of hostilities: which regiments are presently in Iraq; and what amount of leave was given to each regiment during their tour of duty abroad. [158893]

Mr. Ingram

The Queens Dragoon Guards served in Iraq from March to June 2003. Personnel were entitled to two weeks leave at the end of their tour of duty in accordance with post operational tour leave guidelines issued at the time.

The 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Wales was deployed to Iraq in December 2003 and on current planning is due to serve until June 2004. Personnel will generally be entitled to 14 days leave during their tour of duty, and four weeks post-operational tour leave on return to the United Kingdom. This is in accordance with the operational welfare package policy for service in an operational area.

Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many individuals are being held by UK forces in Iraq; and what the average length of detention is. [148577]

Mr. Ingram

Article 78 of the IV Geneva Convention (1949) allows the United Kingdom as the Occupying Power to intern people where it considers it necessary for imperative reasons of security. Internees will continue to be held until such time as they are no longer considered a threat to Coalition Forces.

As at 24 March 2004, the UK held 81 internees in Iraq. Of those currently held, the average length of internment is around four and a half months.