Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Tuesday, 27 November 2007.

Iraq

Question: My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reminder of the memorial in Staffordshire. But 20 March will be the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, which is longer than the First World War. First, is it not time for the Government to consider the final phase of withdrawal by that date? Secondly, should not a commemoration be linked to 20 March and to those now in Iraq being brought home? The bereaved and wounded also should be remembered in a ceremony of commemoration—not celebration—on 20 March.

Answer: My Lords, it is clearly right that we should remember and commemorate on all occasions those who have given their lives and our sympathies are always with their families and, indeed, with those who have been injured in activities. As to withdrawal and the end of operations, the Prime Minister set out the situation very clearly in a Statement in another place on 8 October and our policy has not changed. We have constantly said that UK forces will stay in Iraq until we have provided the opportunities that are required to give the Iraqi security forces the necessary confidence and ability to take over their responsibilities. We have announced our intention to reduce troop levels, dependent on conditions, by spring 2008. There are two separate matters: the drawing to a conclusion of the operations there, which has to be done in an orderly way for the benefit of the people of Iraq; and the later responsibility that we all have of remembering those people who have made sacrifices during this campaign.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 696 c1118-9
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Armed forces Armed conflict Anniversaries Deployment Casualties Church services Iraq Peacekeeping operations Iraq conflict
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk