To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the earliest date is by which the Future Lynx could be available in Afghanistan. (172536)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces on 14 May 2007, Official Report, column 515W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what roles the Army employs native Pashtun speakers. (176083)

The vast majority of locally engaged civilians are employed as interpreters. However, local nationals are also employed in the following roles:

Assistant Chef

Barber

EFI Shop Assistant

EFI Stock Controller

Guards

Kitchen Hands

Labour General Duties

Mechanics

Tailors

Welders

Cleaners

Clerks

While we require our interpreters to speak Pashto, there is no such requirement on locally engaged civilians in other roles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has conducted any review of the procedures governing to operations of private security companies in Afghanistan since 2001. (164351)

[holding answer 15 November 2007]: The MOD operates according to the cross-government ‘Guidance on Contacts with Private Military and Security Companies’, as published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in February 2007. The MOD currently is reviewing the application of this guidance within Defence. The MOD has not carried out any reviews into the procedures governing to operations of private security companies in Afghanistan. Currently, the MOD does not employ any private security companies in Afghanistan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what outreach programmes are being carried out by British forces in Kandahar province. (174477)

UK forces carry out a range of outreach projects around the Kandahar airfield that are designed to improve local infrastructure and public health. These vary in size and scope and include the provision of blankets to villages and escorting medical and dental personnel to local villages. Further activity, such as painting of mosques, installation of water pumps and drainage and irrigation projects are planned up until the end of March 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the small arms threat to aircraft in (a) Helmand and (b) Kandahar province. (174487)

We constantly assess the threat to our aircraft operating in Afghanistan and utilise tactics, techniques and procedures suitable for the threat. I am withholding further information as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our armed forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) planned and (b) actual Apache flying hours were per month in (i) Afghanistan and (ii) Iraq in 2007. (174494)

I am withholding the information relating to Afghanistan as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces. The UK does not have any Apache helicopters deployed in Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to send Vector armoured vehicles to Afghanistan; what the Vector’s capabilities are; and if he will make a statement. (174499)

The Vector vehicle has provided a light protected patrol vehicle capability in Afghanistan since April 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many helicopters of each type were deployed in Afghanistan in each month since 1 January 2002; what additional deployment of (a) Sea Kings and (b) other helicopters is planned for 2008; and if he will make a statement. (175443)

Information on the type of helicopters deployed each month prior to January 2006 is not held centrally. I am withholding the number of helicopters deployed as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces. The following table sets out, by month, the helicopter types deployed in-Theatre from January 2006 to December 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department uses (a) civilian and (b) military personnel during the take-off and landing phase of unmanned aerial vehicles operations in Afghanistan. (175447)

The Ministry of Defence uses both civilian contractors and military personnel during the take-off and landing phase of unmanned aerial vehicles; however, the vast majority of operators are military. Once airborne, all operational mission activity is conducted by military personnel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the statement by the Prime Minister of 12 December 2007, Official Report, column 304, on Afghanistan, what capabilities Sea King helicopters would have in Afghanistan. (175458)

The Sea Kings will be operating as a support helicopter able to carry troops and equipment and will be tasked accordingly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the statement by the Prime Minister of 12 December 2007, Official Report, column 304, on Afghanistan, what plans his Department has to recruit and deploy specialists who speak Afghan languages and understand tribal dynamics. (175460)

The MOD is already using specialist linguists in support of its operations in Afghanistan and we expect to increase the number deployed over the coming months. In addition to specialist linguists, considerable use is made of local employed civilians in a linguist role.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Statement by the Prime Minister of 12 December 2007, Official Report, column 304, on Afghanistan, how many of his Department's personnel serve in the collocated headquarters. (175466)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 December 2007, Official Report, column 777W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by whom each soldier killed during the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment/2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiments’ recent operational tour in Helmand Province was replaced in the order of battle. (175622)

I will write to the hon. Member.