Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Dr. Fox
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of those (a) captured and (b) killed by British forces in (i) Iraq and (ii) Afghanistan since November 2007 were of Iranian nationality.

Des Browne
As I stated in my answer to the hon. Member on 18 October 2007, Official Report, column 1234W, the Ministry of Defence does not maintain records on the nationality of individuals killed in engagements involving UK forces in Iraq or Afghanistan.

No Iranian nationals have been detained by UK forces in Iraq and Afghanistan since November 2007.

Mr. Hollobone
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of service casualties on current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have been killed and injured in incidents involving roadside bombs and other improvised explosive devices.

Mr. Bob Ainsworth
[holding answer 25 April 2008]: The percentage of fatalities of UK service personnel resulting from improvised explosive devices or mines is 27 per cent. for operations in Afghanistan and 28 per cent. for operations in Iraq.

Data on the proportion of injuries caused by improvised explosive devices or mines are not held centrally.