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Written question asked by David Amess (Conservative) on Tuesday, 26 February 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 28 February 2008. It was answered by Bob Ainsworth (Labour) on Thursday, 27 March 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces were withdrawn from Iraq in each year since 2003, broken down by (a) sex, (b) age and (c) service; what plans he has to increase members withdrawn in each of the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement.
Answer

During major combat operations in March-April 2003, there were some 46,000 UK military personnel committed to Op TELIC (including those stationed outside Iraq in support of the operation). Subsequently, the number of UK military posts in Iraq decreased to 18,000 by May 2003. Year on year troop reductions beyond that point are set out in the following table:

January each year Approximate UK troop level Reduction from previous year
2004 8,500 ¹9,500
2005 8,000 500
2006 8,000 0
2007 7,100 900
2008 4,300 2,800
¹ From May 2003

There are currently around 4,200 UK military personnel in Iraq, of which around 4,000 are based in southern Iraq. The actual number of UK military personnel in theatre varies significantly from day to day for a variety of reasons, including leave (rest and recuperation), temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, visits, the roulement of forces and other factors.Accurate information on the total number of personnel broken down by sex, age and service is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.Work continues on the details of our future plans in consultation with our coalition partners and the Government of Iraq. For this reason, we are unable to provide a month-by-month projection for each of the next 12 months. Our plans will, of course, be guided by the advice of our military commanders and are subject to conditions on the ground.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
190878; 474 c349W;474 c347-8W
Session
2007-08
Subjects
Iraq Peacekeeping operations
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk