Skip to main content

Armed Conflict: Afghanistan

Volume 493: debated on Thursday 11 June 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many systems to investigate and provide compensation for civilian casualties of International Security Assistance Force operations are in place in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. (278767)

Compensation claims brought against the Ministry of Defence as part of the International Security Assistance Force are considered on the basis of whether or not the Department has a legal liability to pay compensation. Where there is a proven legal liability compensation is paid.

The system in place for handling claims for compensation brought against the Ministry of Defence by Afghanistan civilians is through the Department's Area Claims Office based in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province. Claims staff rotate through Musa Qaleh and Sangin and visit support bases at Kandahar and Kabul to handle claims which arise at these locations.

Other members of the International Security Assistance Force have their own systems in place to handle compensation claims.