To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2007, Official Report, column 481W, on Iraq: peacekeeping operations, what the estimated cost of providing medical services to employees of private military and security companies under Government contract in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan was in each of the last five years; what estimate he has made of the cost of procuring such services from the private sector; and if he will make a statement. (168453)

[holding answer 28 November 2007]: In the last five years, the Ministry of Defence has contracted only two private military security companies both in 2007, one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. Available records do not show any routine or emergency treatment having been provided to employees of these companies. In order to confirm this categorically a trawl of all medical records would have to be undertaken, which would require a level of effort generating disproportionate cost to the benefit of the information provided.

There has been no estimate done on the cost of procuring such services for PMSCs from the private sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many convoy escort missions were conducted by British forces along Military Supply Route Tampa in Britain’s area of operations in each month in 2007. (173732)

The Military Supply Route Tampa is one of numerous routes that British forces can use to conduct convoy missions.

I am withholding further information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our armed forces.