To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations the UK has made to other NATO countries on provision of troops for operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. (180279)

[holding answer 21 January 2008]: NATO nations have made a collective commitment to Afghanistan and to meet the force levels set out in the Combined Joint Statement of Requirements. We routinely raise Afghanistan issues, including force levels, in bilateral and multilateral meetings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for improving UK combat search and rescue cover in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. (180406)

Combat search and rescue is a specialist subset of Joint Personnel Recovery Operations. It refers to the recovery of trained and equipped isolated personnel, such as downed aircrew, when conducted in a threat environment. Allocation of resources for this task on current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan is a coalition responsibility and we are content the current system provides a satisfactory degree of cover.