Written question asked by Liam Fox (Conservative) on Monday, 23 February 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 February 2009. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Monday, 30 March 2009 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average number of UK (a) service personnel and (b) civilian staff stationed in Iraq was in each financial year from 2002-03 to 2007-08.

Answer: Information on the average number of service and Ministry of Defence civilian personnel stationed in Iraq in each financial year from 2002-03 to 2007-08 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The number of personnel in theatre at any one time fluctuates significantly on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including mid-tour rest and recuperation, temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, the roulement of forces and visits.Information on the number of military personnel deployed in Iraq at the end of May in each of the last six years has, however, been made available on the Department's website, and can be found at:"http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Templates/Factsheet .aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID=%7bF0 BBlDFlA9C74E1796E7B3301B06E45F%7d&NRORIGIN ALURL=%2fDefenceInternet%2fFactSheets%2fOperations Factsheets%2fDperationsInIraqFactsandFigures%2ehtm&NRC ACHEHINT =Guest#mc2"

Secondary information