To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will place in the Library a list of private military companies operating in Iraq indicating in each case in which country they are registered. (138811)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not keep a record of private military and security companies (PMSCs) operating in Iraq as this is a matter for the Government of Iraq. We are aware of 12 UK mainland registered PMSCs operating in Iraq:

Aegis;

ArmorGroup;

Blue Hackle;

BritAm Defence;

Centurion;

CRG;

Erinys International;

Janusian;

GardaWorld;

Olive;

Pilgrims; and

Global Strategies Group.

The trade association, Private Security Company Association of Iraq (PSCAI) (www.pscai.org/fulllist2.html) lists further companies, but this list is not exhaustive, as membership of the PSCAI is not compulsory.