Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Linda Gilroy (Labour). It was answered on Monday, 3 November 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Afghanistan (Royal Navy)

Question: This is a very significant land deployment of maritime forces. Does my right hon. Friend agree that its purpose is not some sort of discretionary war, as some would imply, but in our vital interests?

Answer: I agree absolutely with my hon. Friend. The operations in which we are involved in Afghanistan are vital to UK strategic security interests: that is why our campaign to tackle the Taliban and to deal with al-Qaeda in Afghanistan must succeed. I pay tribute not only to the forces currently deployed in Afghanistan, who are doing a brilliant job—as I have seen myself at first hand—but to all members of the armed forces who have served there since 2003. We can be rightly proud of the contribution that the men and women who wear the Queen’s uniform have discharged in Afghanistan.

Secondary information