Written question asked by Jimmy Wray (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 January 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 January 2003. It was answered by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 January 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the troops referred to in his oral statement of 7th January, Official Report, columns 23-39, will arrive in the Gulf; and what training they will undertake.

Answer: Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the troops referred to in his oral statement of 7 January 2003, Official Report, columns 23-39, will arrive in the Gulf; and what training they will undertake. [90327] Mr. Hoon: In my oral statement of 7 January 2003, Official Report, column 25, I announced that we plan to deploy amphibious forces including HQ 3 Commando Brigade, 40 Commando Royal Marines and 42 Commando Royal Marines, with all supporting elements, to the Mediterranean with a view to proceeding to the Gulf region if and as required. In accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information it would be inappropriate for me to discuss details of military planning, including timings. The group will conduct training in the Mediterranean, including force integration and combat enhancement training.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 90327; 397 c636-7W;397 c634W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Armed forces Armed conflict Deployment Iraq Iraq conflict Gulf states Amphibious warfare Marines
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk