To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the level of violence being carried out by militia groups in Multi-National Division South East; and if he will make a statement. (84561)

I receive regular assessments of the level of violence in Multi-National Division South including that carried out by militia groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2006, Official Report, column 1321W, on Iraq, whether progress has been made on resuming full co-operation between Maysan Provincial Council and multi-national forces. (85621)

We continue to make progress towards resumption of formal co-operation with the Maysan Provincial Council with a number of positive developments in recent weeks. Co-operation with the provincial authorities has continued at working level and the Maysan Battlegroup has trained and mentored the Iraqi Security Forces throughout this period.