Written question asked by Liam Fox (Conservative) on Thursday, 13 December 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 December 2007. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Monday, 14 January 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the statement by the Prime Minister of 12 December 2007, Official Report, column 304, on Afghanistan, what proportion of helicopter missions by British forces are used for (a) military tasks and (b) moving routine freight in Regional Command South; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: ISAF records for helicopter usage do not make a distinction between flights for ““military tasks”” and those for ““moving routine freight”” because the movement of freight—logistic movement—is a military task. To maximise usage of available aviation capacity, helicopter missions invariably move both personnel and freight. Accordingly we do not hold this information centrally and the question could be answered only at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 470 c873W; 175463
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Afghanistan
Wednesday, 12 December 2007
Parliamentary proceedings
House of Commons
Subjects: Peacekeeping operations Afghanistan
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk