Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 December 2005. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Monday, 19 December 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Private Military Companies

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Horwood) of 2 December 2005, Official Report, column 879W, on private military companies, what the duration is of the contracts with (a) ArmorGroup and (b) Control Risks Group; whether the contracts specify particular locations; and whether they include employment of local labour.

Answer: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has two security contracts with Amorgroup Services. The first is for an armed guarding force in Iraq, which expires on 30 June 2006. The second is for close protection teams in Afghanistan, which expires in December 2005 but has an option to extend for two years.The FCO has three security contracts with Control Risks Group. One is for close protection teams in Iraq, which expires on 30 June 2006. The second provides armed guarding forces in Saudi Arabia, which expires in September 2006 but has an option to renew for one year. The third is to provide guard forces for our missions in Beijing, Hong Kong, Cairo and Moscow, which expires in September 2006 but has an option to extend for two years.The contracts do not refer to the employment of local labour but both companies employ local nationals to support their operations.The Iraq security contracts are due to be re-tendered next year.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 36876; 440 c2490-1W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Private Military Companies
Friday, 2 December 2005
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Contracts Companies Security guards Private military and security companies Armor Group Control Risks
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk