To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the deployment of armed forces to (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan has cost in (i) 2008-09 and (ii) each year since 2003-04; and what projection he has made of the cost in 2009-10. (246932)

The audited net additional cost to the MOD for the cost of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2003-04 to 2007-08 are set out as follows:

The net additional cost of operations is volatile. Nevertheless, our current forecast of costs in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2008-09 are set out in our winter supplementary estimates as follows:

Our final estimate for 2008-09 will be set out in the spring supplementary estimates. Our forecast costs for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan for 2009-10 will be published in the main estimates in spring 2009.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what time scale his Department has set for the transfer of the Merlin helicopter from operations in Iraq to Afghanistan. (247443)

In line with the time scales set out in the Prime Minister’s statement on Iraq on 18 December 2008, Official Report, columns 1233-35, the Merlin Battlefield Helicopter Force will remain fully committed to supporting UK forces in Iraq until circumstances allow for its withdrawal. We are already doing all we can to ensure a swift transition of the Merlin Force to Afghanistan, including the procurement of necessary equipment modifications for operations there. Nevertheless, we envisage a short period of around four months for the force to prepare for operations in Afghanistan after extraction from Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel in each service he expects to remain in Iraq following the completion of Operation Archive. (244623)

As the Prime Minister set out on 18 December 2008, Official Report, columns 1233-35, we will complete our remaining military tasks in Iraq by 31 May 2009 and move to a normal bilateral defence relationship. The subsequent withdrawal of our forces will be complete by 31 July. As part of the future relationship, the Government of Iraq have indicated that they would like to continue to receive military training and education from the UK. We will shortly begin discussions to establish the precise scope of this training and education, which will inform the number and breakdown by service of any UK service personnel in Iraq after 31 July. Our current assumption is that this activity would involve around 400 UK service personnel.

Operation Archive is not concerned with the overall withdrawal of UK forces by 31 July 2009. Rather, it is the name given to the periodic removal from Iraq of equipment no longer required by UK forces.