If we had any plans to send conventional forces for training in Libya we would of course come to this House and discuss them. What we want to see in Libya is the formation of a unity Government. There is progress with Prime Minister Siraj, who can now lead a Government of national accord. We will want to hear from him what assistance and help should be given in Libya. Countries such as Britain, France, America and Italy will definitely try to help that new Government, because right now Libya is a people smuggling route, which is bad for Europe and bad for us, and we also have the growth of Daesh in Libya, which is bad for us and bad for the rest of Europe. If we have any plans for troop training or troop deployment in a conventional sense we will of course come to the House and discuss them.

I am very happy to give that commitment, as we always do. I am very clear that it was right to take action to prevent the slaughter that Colonel Gaddafi would have carried out against his people in Benghazi. I believe that was right. Of course, Libya is in a state that is very concerning right now, and everyone has to take their responsibilities for that. What I would say is that after the conflict the British Government did support the training of Libyan troops, we did bring the Libyan Prime Minister to the G8 in Northern Ireland and we went to the United Nations and passed resolutions to help that Government, but so far we have not been able to bring about a Government of national accord that can bring some semblance of stability and peace to that country. Is it in our interest to help the Government do exactly that? Yes, it is, and we should be working with others to try to deliver that.

The number and location of personnel and equipment taking part in the Seedcorn programme are as follows:

Yes, a number of short-term post extensions, varying from three to fifteen months, were agreed in 2013 and 2014.

Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) aircraft launched to intercept aircraft on 20 days in 2014. The number of days on which QRA aircraft have launched specifically against Russian military aircraft for each year since 2005 is contained in the table below. Not every launch resulted in an interception as some incidents were resolved prior to interception.

I am withholding further details as deterrence is a principal function of QRA and QRA is in turn an integral part of the air defence of the UK. The disclosure of information that might compromise the QRA deterrent capability would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

There are three Chinook helicopters and 51 associated personnel within the aviation detachment deployed in Kabul in support of the UK's contribution to the NATO Resolute Support Mission. In 2015 these will be replaced by three Puma HC.2 helicopters which will remain until the Mission concludes

There are three Chinook helicopters and 51 associated personnel within the aviation detachment deployed in Kabul in support of the UK's contribution to the NATO Resolute Support Mission. In 2015 these will be replaced by three Puma HC.2 helicopters which will remain until the Mission concludes

The information requested is provided below:

The number of days on which Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) aircraft have launched to intercept aircraft in each of the last three years is contained in the following table. Not every launch resulted in an interception as some incidents were resolved prior to interception.

I am withholding full details of the number of interceptions, aircraft type and locations as deterrence is a principal function of QRA and QRA is in turn an integral part of the air defence of the UK. The disclosure of information that might compromise the QRA deterrent capability would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers previously given to him on 22 November 2013, Official Report, column 1046W and 27 March 2012 Official Report, column 1054W.

Between 4 November 2013 and 5 June 2014 there have been five occasions where an Irish helicopter was requested by the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre to provide search and rescue assistance over UK territorial waters. Four of these were in Northern Ireland. These were in response to obligations under Annex 12 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation. Details of the five incidents are shown as follows:

Detailed statistics on UK military SAR activity can be found on the Government website at the following link:

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/hub/release-calendar/index.html?newquery=*&uday=0&umonth=0&uyear= 0&title=Military+Search+and+Rescue+Monthly+Statistic& pagetype=calendar-entry&lday=&lmonth=&lyear=

The Royal Navy only centrally records the number of boardings undertaken in UK Territorial Waters by the Fishery Protection Squadron. This information is provided in the following table:

Royal Navy units board other vessels in accordance with Safety of Life at Sea conventions and while aiding the Civil Authorities, but the details of such incidents are not recorded centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 March 2014, Official Report, column 847W.

Further to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my hon. Friend the Member for Ludlow (Mr Dunne), on 3 February 2014, Official Report, column 85W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Henley (John Howell), we have no plans to relocate 6,000 personnel within the UK as part of the investments we have made in the armed forces’ helicopter capabilities.

The 20 Wing RAF Regiment, more commonly known as the Defence Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Wing, deployed two personnel to RAF Akrotiri between 12 to 21 September 2013. A Royal Navy medical specialist was also deployed in support. No assets from the Regiment were deployed to RAF Akrotiri with these personnel.

No. HMS Dragon is currently returning from a routine deployment to the Gulf where it worked with the USS Nimitz and other international partners to promote regional security.

The NATO Strategic Airlift Interim Solution (SALIS) provides assured access to outsized airlift capability for military operations, predominantly in Afghanistan.

Since 1 January 2012 the UK has chartered 16 SALIS flights at a total cost of approximately £10.48 million. The aircraft used for these flights was an Antonov An-124.

Due to the pricing mechanism used by participating NATO countries for the SALIS arrangement it is not possible to provide the costs of individual flights, as costs are calculated on a percentage basis and are paid monthly by participating nations, regardless of the number of SALIS flights that take place.

The Royal Navy maintains a strong relationship with NATO, including through the NATO Maritime Headquarters, based in the United Kingdom, which is permanently commanded by a Royal Navy Vice-Admiral.

The Royal Navy continues to offer a frigate or destroyer to the NATO Immediate Reaction Force.

The United Kingdom has been allocated 16 posts in the Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejon, which as of 1 December 2012 forms part of the NATO Command Structure. All 16 posts will be filled by Royal Air Force personnel, broken down by rank as follows:

Three x Wing Commander (OF4)

Six x Squadron Leader (OF3)

Three x Flight Lieutenant (OF2)

One x Warrant Officer (OR9)

Two x Flight Sergeant (OR7)

One x Sergeant (OR6).

Location allowances for 16 personnel stationed in Spain are estimated at £150,000 per annum. Nation-borne support costs are estimated at £395,000 per annum.

On current plans it is envisaged that the Army will be ready to deploy the Lead Armoured Battlegroup from 2018.

Training for the Lead Armoured Battlegroup will be developed incrementally in order to deliver the full capability from 2018. At present we envisage Lead Armoured Battlegroup training progressing from individual and team level through troop level to squadron level culminating in an overseas exercise in due course. It is too soon to assess the full cost of the training involved with the Lead Armoured Battlegroup.

There have been no Royal Navy ships assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 or Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 since 2012.

The Royal Navy Mine Countermeasures Vessels assigned to the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 were HMS Ledbury and HMS Blyth in 2012 and HMS Cattistock and HMS Ledbury in 2013. The period of support is six months per ship.

In addition, the Royal Navy provides regular contributions to maritime NATO exercises, supports Operation Active Endeavour in the Mediterranean using transiting surface vessels and submarines, and allows other NATO vessels in the Arabian Gulf to refuel using the on station UK Royal Fleet Auxiliary Tanker.