To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether (a) NATO commanders and officials and (b) British (i) commanders and officials and (ii) Ministers were consulted by (A) US commanders and (B) the US Administration before Operation Mountain Thrust in Afghanistan. (82854)

[holding answer 6 July 2006]: I can confirm that NATO/UK commanders and officials, and British Ministers, discussed Operation Mountain Thrust with US commanders and the US Administration.