To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Small Scale Focused Intervention Battlegroup’s mission statement is. (193099)

The Small Scale Focussed Intervention Battlegroup (SSFIBG) is a new capability formed on 15 February 2008 and as such it does not currently have a formal mission statement.

The SSFIBG’s purpose is to provide a Contingency Force Element to Reinforce the Joint Rapid Reaction Forces when either the Airborne Task Force or lead Commando Group is deployed on operations. In such an eventuality it would be given a mission statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria he uses to determine whether the Small Scale Focused Intervention Battlegroup is deployed on operations. (193100)

There are a number of force elements at high readiness held by the Department in order to undertake a range of tasks at short notice, including the Small Scale Focussed Intervention Battlegroup. The criteria used to determine the exact force package deployed will depend on the precise nature of the requirement, which will vary depending on circumstances.