Written question asked by Liam Fox (Conservative) on Monday, 15 December 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 December 2008. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Monday, 12 January 2009 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Prime Minister’s statement on the European Council, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India of 15 December 2008, Official Report, columns 813-31, what the Government’s policy is on the number of trained Afghan national army troops required for security purposes in Afghanistan.

Answer: We welcome the decision taken by the Afghan authorities and the International Community on 10 September 2008 to increase the size of the Afghan National Army from 80,000 to 134,000. This includes operational units, trainers and enablers.Building Afghanistan’s capacity to provide security for its people remains key to success. Therefore the UK supports ANA expansion both of its combat capabilities and in key supporting elements such as engineering, intelligence, and logistics.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 486 c75W; 245184
Session: 2008-09
Related items: EU Council/Afghanistan, India and Pakistan
Monday, 15 December 2008
Parliamentary proceedings
House of Commons
Subjects: Peacekeeping operations Afghanistan
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk