Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 17 May 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 May 2007. It was answered by Ian McCartney (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 May 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Iraq: Security Guards

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will place in the Library a list of private military companies operating in Iraq indicating in each case in which country they are registered.

Answer: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not keep a record of private military and security companies (PMSCs) operating in Iraq as this is a matter for the Government of Iraq. We are aware of 12 UK mainland registered PMSCs operating in Iraq:"Aegis;""ArmorGroup;""Blue Hackle;""BritAm Defence;""Centurion;""CRG;""Erinys International;""Janusian;""GardaWorld;""Olive;""Pilgrims; and""Global Strategies Group."The trade association, Private Security Company Association of Iraq (PSCAI) (www.pscai.org/fulllist2.html) lists further companies, but this list is not exhaustive, as membership of the PSCAI is not compulsory.

Secondary information