Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 29 June 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 July 2009. It was answered by Bob Ainsworth (Labour) on Monday, 6 July 2009 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Iraq and Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK troops required medical evacuation as a result of injuries caused by improvised explosive devices in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan in (i) 2007, (ii) 2008 and (iii) 2009 to date.

Answer: The Ministry of Defence holds statistics on the number of casualties suffered by UK forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, including on the number of casualties evacuated by air from Iraq and Afghanistan on medical grounds. These are published on the Ministry of Defence website, two weeks in arrears, at the following addresses:"http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/DoctrineOperationsand DiplomacyPublications/OperationsInIraq/OpTelicCasualtyAndFatalityTables.htm""http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/DoctrineOperationsand DiplomacyPublications/OperationsInAfghanistan/OpHerrickCasualtyAndFatalityTables.htm"I am withholding information regarding the number of personnel requiring medical evacuation as a result of injuries caused by improvised explosive devices, as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Secondary information