Written question asked by Liam Fox (Conservative) on Thursday, 7 May 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 May 2009. It was answered by Lord Beamish (Labour) on Thursday, 14 May 2009 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether British personnel based in Kuwait will receive (a) the Operation Telic Medal and (b) a council tax rebate; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Under the current arrangements armed forces personnel may only receive the Iraq Medal for service on the land and in the airspace of Iraq, as well as the waters of the Northern Gulf, Iraqi territorial seas and Iraqi internal waters. However, in common with all campaign medals the situation is kept under constant review, and continues to take into account the ongoing risks and rigours of the operations in which British troops are involved.As announced on 7 September 2007, council tax relief is paid to Service personnel serving in Camp Buehring who are involved in Operation TELIC (roulement) 11. Payment has been made since 1 April 2008 and, in line with the introduction of Operational Allowance payment for these personnel, it was backdated to 1 November 2007.

Secondary information