Navy: Middle East

Mr. Soames
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what tasks (a) HMS Pembroke and (b) HMS Lancaster are currently deployed in the Middle East.

Bill Rammell
HMS Pembroke is assisting with ensuring free movement of ships to Iraq and the region as part of Operation Telic. At the invitation of other nations, she may also take part in multinational exercises with regional naval forces.

HMS Lancaster is tasked under Operation Calash to carry out counter-terrorism and counter-piracy operations in order to improve the stability of the region.