Written question asked by Martin Smyth (Independent Unionist) on Thursday, 6 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 November 2003. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 November 2003 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's contribution to the provision of a civil police service in Iraq. - Including figures.

Answer: Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's contribution to the provision of a civil police service in Iraq. [137777] Mr. Rammell: There are currently a total of 10 UK police officers in Iraq; three in Basra and seven in Baghdad. Our focus is on recruiting, training and deploying more Iraqi police officers. We plan to deploy a further 24 UK officers to Basra in the near future and up to a further 75 UK police officers towards a multinational effort to train new Iraqi recruits at a training facility in Jordan. The first nine of these 75 police officers are already in Jordan and another 27 are planning to depart on 23 November.

Secondary information