To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many comfort boxes sent to UK military personnel in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq have been robbed (i) in transit and (ii) on arrival in theatre since the beginning of the current engagement. (132765)

[holding answer 20 April 2007]: As these incidents occurred at various times and places, the Royal Military Police have been asked to gather all the reports together. Once the details have been collated, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what security measures he is taking to prevent comfort boxes sent to UK military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan from being robbed. (132766)

[holding answer 20 April 2007]: Comfort boxes are secured in a standard transport container, using a security seal, by the unit concerned. Containers are then transported to a UK port, shipped by sea to the relevant port for the theatre and off-loaded prior to being transported using road transport to the location in-theatre where they are handed back to the unit, at which point the seals are checked again. From this point, containers are transported by road to the unit’s base location.

The Royal Military Police are currently gathering information on any thefts that have occurred during transit. Once the details have been collated and any possible improvements to container security in transit have been identified, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.