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Afghanistan and Pakistan

My Lords, with regard to my noble friend’s initial comments, I think it is right that at this Dispatch Box I am closely questioned about what the Government are doing. However, I know that the clear message from this House as a whole is that we are in support of what the Government are doing in Afghanistan, and that we are behind our troops and their families. On communication, my noble friend is right: support for the conflict is being lost. That is why it is incumbent on us as Government, Opposition, NATO and the UN to explain that this is a conflict that the UN has asked us to engage in. Not a lot of people understand or know that, so we have to get out there and use all the tools at our disposal to try top ensure better understanding and more support for our troops.