asked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the different categories of attack directed against United Kingdom military forces deployed in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. [HL820]
UK military forces deployed in Helmand province in Afghanistan typically face conventional threats such as small arms fire, indirect fire and rocket propelled grenades. They also face more asymmetric attacks such as suicide bombs and improvised explosive devices. In addition, we cannot rule out the threat of surface-to-air missiles. These forms of attack may be used in unison.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they have taken to address any rise in the use of (a) improvised explosive devices, and (b) suicide bombings against United Kingdom forces deployed in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. [HL821]
UK Armed Forces use a combination of equipment, procedures and intelligence to mitigate against the risk posed by improvised explosive devices and suicide bombings. Full details cannot be provided owing to operational security but I can outline the approach.
UK forces deployed on operations are equipped with suitable equipment—including personal protection and armoured vehicles—for the job in hand. All personnel deploy with enhanced combat body armour as standard, and enhanced, fit-for-purpose body armour is available for higher risk tasks such as top cover sentry duty on vehicles. In addition, the Defence Secretary announced enhancements to the armoured fleet including 100 additional VECTOR patrol vehicles, which afford greater protected mobility. (Official Report, cols. 74-77, 24 July). Electronic countermeasures on vehicles are constantly being developed to counter the threats identified and we constantly engage with industry to identify better capability.
Our forces undertake comprehensive pre-deployment training on tactics, techniques and procedures to counter the threats they may face. We constantly seek to improve these measures as the threat evolves. Crucial to the methods we employ is intelligence on the emerging threats and we work closely with coalition partners to share such intelligence and identify methods best suited to counter the likely threat.
While we do our utmost to mitigate the risk our forces face, we cannot eliminate the threat posed by suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many United Kingdom military personnel deployed to Afghanistan are serving directly with the United Kingdom-led provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province; and what proportion of these military personnel are providing force protection to the PRT. [HL905]
The UK assumed command of the Helmand provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in May 2006. Since then the UK has had approximately 100 troops deployed with the PRT, the majority of whom provide force protection. Since September, 28 Regiment Royal Engineers has also been deployed to Afghanistan. It was deployed to increase the UK military's capacity for reconstruction and development in Helmand.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What working arrangements there are between the United Kingdom-led provincial reconstruction team in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province and (a) the national Government of Afghanistan; (b) the provincial government of Helmand province; and (c) non-governmental organisations in Helmand province. [HL906]
Although the Government of Afghanistan (GoA) are responsible for long-term development and co-ordinate funding for individual projects, the provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Lashkar Gah does not engage directly with them, but through the provincial government of Helmand province. Consultation between the PRT and the GoA's provincial representatives ensures that quick impact projects address local priorities. This is achieved by working with the provincial development council, which is chaired by the provincial governor and has local representatives from all the key government ministries.
Working arrangements with non-government organisations (NGOs) vary, depending upon the NGOs involved. Liaison is conducted between NGOs and representatives of the PRT, including those responsible for project implementation, such as 28 Engineer Regiment.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the United Kingdom-led provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province adheres to the PRT terms of reference promulgated by the PRT Executive Steering Committee in February 2005. [HL935]
The UK-led Helmand PRT works within all the established frameworks agreed by the Government of Afghanistan and the international community, including those set by the PRT Executive Steering Group. As stipulated by ISAF, military and civilian advisers are working with the provincial authorities, local leaders and NGOs to facilitate the development of a stable and secure environment, support Afghanistan’s counter-narcotics strategy and enable reconstruction.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the development budget for the United Kingdom-led provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province. [HL936]
The UK-led PRT in Helmand has a budget of £6.5 million in 2006-07 for stabilisation and quick impact projects. DfID contributed £4 million of this. DfID has also committed £20 million for development in Helmand this year. This money is earmarked for Helmand, but is channelled mostly through the Government of Afghanistan's national priority programmes, and is managed by DfID's office in Kabul. We expect to maintain similar levels of funding for next year.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What working arrangements are in place between United Kingdom military forces deployed to the Helmand province in Afghanistan and the reconstruction efforts being led by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development in that province. [HL990]
The primary role of the UK task force in Helmand is to provide an enabling security environment in which the authority of the Afghan Government can be extended, and security sector reform, development and reconstruction work undertaken. Work on the ground is closely co-ordinated by the provincial reconstruction team (PRT). The PRT comprises staff from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development and the UK task force, who work together closely to ensure delivery of HMG's objectives in Afghanistan.