§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British troops are in(a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan. [188488]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 15 September 2004]: As at 9 September 2004, there are about 8,000 British troops in Iraq and about 640 in Afghanistan.
§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which battalions of the Army are committed to Northern Ireland; where they are based; and what the average length of duty in Northern Ireland is of each battalion. [187420]
§ Mr. IngramThe following resident infantry battalions are currently based in Northern Ireland on accompanied tours of roughly two years
2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Holywood2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, Ballykelly1st Battalion The King's Own Scottish Borderers, Omagh2nd Battalion The Royal Green Jackets, BallykinlerThe following infantry battalions are currently committed to Northern Ireland on a six month unaccompanied tour of duty:
1st Battalion The King's Own Royal Border Regiment, Dungannon1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets, BessbrookIn addition there are three home service battalions of The Royal Irish Regiment whose headquarters are at Holywood, Portadown and Omagh respectively.
§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops wile deployed in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997. [187421]
§ Mr. IngramThe number of armed forces personnel (Army, Navy and RAF), under the command of the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland (GOC NI), stationed in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997 are set out in tile following table.
1891W
As at 31 July Number of armed forces personnel 1997 16,566 1998 16,107 1999 14,778 2000 13,812 2001 13,763 2002 13,669 2003 13,571 2004 11,450 The GOC NI also has under his command troops that are rear based in Great Britain hat can be called forward to the Province as and when required. In addition other troops can be made available to the GOC NI from Land Command if required for example during the marching season.