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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK civilians are working for defence contractors in Iraq; for whom they are working; in which areas of Iraq they are working; what risk assessments were carried out prior to them beginning work; what protection they are receiving; and if he will make a statement. [137900] Mr. Ingram: We do not hold details of the numbers of United Kingdom contractors currently working in Iraq. Contractors are employed by a number of Government Departments and organisations on projects throughout Iraq. UK forces in Multi-National Division South East (MND(SE)) area of operations constantly review security arrangements for British Citizens in the area for which they are responsible, including contractors. However, it is the contractors' responsibility to assess the risks to their employees prior to deploying them to Iraq. They are provided with security information, as well as regular liaison with local commanders once in Iraq, to enable them to do so. The measures in place to protect contractors in Iraq vary according to the threat in the location in which they are working in Iraq, and the nature of the work they are carrying out. For reasons of operational security it would be inappropriate to provide details of the precise measures in place to protect British Citizens in each location, and I am withholding that information under Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of Part II of the Code of Conduct.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

137900; 413 c1252-3W;413 c1248-9W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Companies Defence Employment Iraq Protection Risk assessment Overseas workers

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk