Written question asked by David Kidney (Labour) on Monday, 28 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 June 2003. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Thursday, 19 June 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what military assets, including personnel, in Iraq are being applied to provide medical treatment for Iraqi civilians; and for how long they will remain in place.

Answer: Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military assets, including personnel, in Iraq are being applied to provide medical treatment for Iraqi civilians; and for how long they will remain in place. [110760] Mr. Caplin: United Kingdom forces are required to provide, within their means and capabilities, medical treatment to Iraqi civilians. This ranges from emergency treatment conducted by any UK soldier, all of whom are trained in first aid, to more advanced emergency treatment at one of the four Regimental Aid Posts, to life saving surgery at the UK Field Hospital at Shaibah, southern Iraq. In addition, 1 Close Support Medical Regiment, consisting of approximately 250 personnel, is deployed across southern Iraq to provide an emergency first aid and ambulance capability. UK forces will provide medical treatment for as long as they remain in Iraq, although it is envisaged that reliance upon UK forces' medical capabilities will be reduced as Iraq's civilian medical infrastructure continues to improve.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 110760; 407 c343-4W;407 c344-5W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Armed forces Civilians Health services First aid Iraq Medical treatments Surgery
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk