To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Government officials were authorised to speak to BBC Newsnight in respect of that programme's item on Wednesday 8 August about the provenance of weapons used against United Kingdom and coalition forces in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. (154883)

[holding answer 10 September 2007]: Officials from the MOD were not authorised to speak to Newsnight about this specific issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will put in place increased and improved counter-indirect fire measures to protect UK service personnel serving at Basra air station in Iraq. (154905)

[holding answer 10 September 2007]: Improving the protection of UK service personnel at Basra Air Station has been, and continues to be, a top priority. There are a range of offensive, defensive and protective measures in place to protect our people. We continually develop our tactics, procedures and capabilities to deal with the evolving threat. I can confirm that in the last few months a number of new and improved capabilities have been put in place and the position will continue to be kept under review.

I am withholding details of specific equipment or techniques as their release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a Government official responded to the attribution by BBC Newsnight of remarks during its programme on 8 August about the provenance of weapons used against the United Kingdom and coalition forces in Iraq to a Government official; and if he will make a statement. (155021)

[holding answer 10 September 2007]: An official from the MOD contacted BBC Newsnight following the report.