To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 18 February 2008, Official Report, column 56W, on Afghanistan: drugs, what steps (a) UK and (b) US troops are taking to support the government of Afghanistan's counter-narcotics effort. (201956)

As part of the UN-authorised, NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) British and American troops do not have a direct role in counter narcotics. They can, however, provide indirect support in accordance with the NATO Operational Plan for Afghanistan, such as intelligence, logistics and planning assistance.