Further to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s statement on Afghanistan on 14 October 2009, Official Report, columns 299-303, I can announce that, in addition to those units named in my written ministerial statement of 15 July 2009, Official Report, column 24WS on the roulement of 19 Light Brigade by 11 Light Brigade, the following units will deploy to Afghanistan:

1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, which will now deploy as a complete unit;

Elements of 30 Signal Regiment;

Elements of 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (King’s, Lancashire and Border);

Elements of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment.

The deployment of these units will allow us to uplift our force levels to 9,000 troops on an enduring basis.

As the Prime Minister explained in his statement, UK force levels will be further increased to 9,500 troops if certain conditions are met. This uplift would be provided by the deployment of 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh (The Royal Welch Fusiliers).