Afghanistan

Andrew Rosindell
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to change the number of (a) fixed wing aircraft, (b) Apache helicopters and (c) infantry troops in Afghanistan.

Des Browne
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 July 2006, Official Report, columns 1131-135, to the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell).

Mr. Harper
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 5 July 2006, Official Report, column 1100W, on Afghanistan, if he will place in the Library a copy of the medical planning guidelines.

Mr. Ingram
The medical planning guidelines are being withheld on grounds of operational security. To reveal details of the specific policies underpinning UK operations in Afghanistan or elsewhere would be detrimental to the safety of UK forces.

Nick Harvey
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has taken (a) to assess the influence and (b) to promote the constructive engagement of (i) Iran and (ii) Pakistan in Afghanistan.

Des Browne
We keep the situation in Afghanistan and the influence of neighbouring countries constantly under review. Pakistan, in particular, remains influential in Afghanistan, notably among the Pashtun communities of the south. Her Majesty’s Government maintain frequent contact with the Government of Pakistan on strategic issues, including the need to counter the influence of the Taliban and the drug-trafficking warlords. In addition, British forces deployed to Afghanistan have military liaison with the Pakistani Army.

The United Kingdom and Iran also have a common interest in supporting Afghan efforts to promote stability and economic development and to combat the drugs trade. Iran has said it supports the long-term reconstruction of Afghanistan and the efforts of the Afghan Government and international community to build stability and security. We welcome this commitment and hope to see it demonstrated in practice. Her Majesty’s Government have discussed these issues regularly with the Iranian authorities, through the British embassy in Tehran and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.