Written question asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 8 September 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 September 2003. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 September 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much ordnance was released by British aircraft over Iraq in (a) February and (b) 1st to 20th March; on how many occasions during these periods coalition aircraft were responding in self-defence; and if he will make a statement; how much ordnance has been released in each month by coalition aircraft over Iraq since 21st March; and if he will make a statement. - Including figures. (Holding answer 11 September 2003).

Answer: Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much ordnance was released by British aircraft over Iraq in (a) February and (b) 1 to 20 March; on how many occasions during these periods coalition aircraft were responding in self-defence; and if he will make a statement; [129147] (2) how much ordnance has been released in each month by coalition aircraft over Iraq since 21 March; and if he will make a statement. [129148] Mr. Ingram: [holding answer 11 September 2003]: During February, five weapons were released by United Kingdom aircraft over Iraq. A further four weapons were released in the period 1-19 March. All of these weapons were released in self-defence. Warfighting commenced on 20 March. In the period 20-31 March, United Kingdom aircraft released 518 weapons over Iraq. A further 396 weapons were released from 1-30 April. UK aircraft dropped no ordnance after 30 April. Weapons released by other coalition partners' aircraft during the warfighting is a matter for them.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 410 c706W;410 c704W; 129147;129148
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Ammunition Armed conflict Deployment Bombs Iraq Military aircraft Weapons Iraq conflict
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk