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9 Jan 2007 : Column WA57
Written Answers
Tuesday 9 January 2007
Afghanistan: Badakhshan
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
When the Department for International Development intends to deploy a development adviser to the multi-donor mission in Badakhshan, Afghanistan; and [HL993]
Whether they intend to deploy any personnel to the multi-donor mission in Badakhshan, Afghanistan; and [HL994]
What other countries will be contributing to the multi-donor mission in Badakhshan, Afghanistan. [HL995]
The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos): DfID does not intend to deploy a development adviser, or any other personnel, to Badakhshan province. DfID, the NATO ISAF mission, and the Badakhshan PRT are not aware of plans to establish a multi-donor mission to the province. Germany and Denmark are the main contributors to the Badakhshan PRT, with Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic and the US.
Afghanistan: Detainees
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
When updates to Joint Warfare Publication 1—10 were completed; what changes were made; and how these changes will affect operational practice towards detainees in Afghanistan. [HL819]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): The Joint Warfare Publication 1-10 was replaced by the Joint Doctrine Publication 1-10 in May 2006 Prisoners of War, Internees and Detainees. Joint Doctrine Publication 1-10 has been separated into three sections—Prisoners of War, Internees and Detainees—reflecting the requirement for differing approaches to the range of categorisation of those captured, interned or detained by UK Armed Forces deployed on operations abroad.
This publication recognises the change from the post-Cold War environment to the UK's more expeditionary approach and peace enforcement operations. It provides clarification on current detention procedures giving guidance on, among other things, the standards of treatment and facilities for prisoners of war, internees and detainees, and the training of UK Armed Forces on the handling of detained personnel.
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Joint Doctrine Publication 1-10 remains in line with domestic UK law, international law and the laws of armed conflict, as does our operational practice towards detainees in Afghanistan which reflects Joint Doctrine Publication 1-10.
Afghanistan: Helmand Province
Lord Astor of Hever 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]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): 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.
Lord Astor of Hever 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]
Lord Drayson: 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.
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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.
Lord Astor of Hever 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]
Lord Drayson: 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.
Lord Astor of Hever 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]
Lord Drayson: 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.
Lord Astor of Hever 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]
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The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos): 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.
Lord Astor of Hever 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]
Baroness Amos: 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.
Lord Astor of Hever 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]
Baroness Amos: 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.
Afghanistan: National Army
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
What procedures are in place to minimise the risk of the Afghan National Army engaging in action outside the United Kingdom's operational boundaries or rules of engagement while with embedded trainers. [HL816]
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): Elements of the Afghan National Army (ANA) can be deployed throughout Afghanistan. 3 Brigade of 205 Corps is based in Helmand and supported by a UK forces mentoring team as part of the ISAF Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams (OMLTs) concept.
Any decision to deploy 3 Bde 205 Corps ANA elsewhere in Afghanistan is a decision for the Afghan chain of command. In circumstances where ANA troops are deployed to other provinces, the UK OLMT will endeavour to continue to support the ANA but the decision on the deployment of the OLMT will be made by Commander UK Task Force on a case-by-case basis depending on the risk.
ANA personnel who are mentored by UK Armed Forces follow UK rules of engagement which are in line with ISAF rules of engagement.
Afghanistan: Opium
The Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty's Government:
What alternative crops they have recommended to opium farmers seeking new livelihoods in Afghanistan; what numbers of beneficiaries are involved and in which provinces; and with what success. [HL667]
The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos): For farmers in Afghanistan a livelihood is normally composed of a combination of activities. These may include agriculture (crops, livestock); employment (migrant labour); remittances (from family members
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DfID has established a £3 million Research in Alternative Livelihoods Fund (RALF) in Afghanistan for applied research into natural resource-based livelihoods. The programme is looking at improved forage and milk production and the introduction of legumes and vegetable crops, saffron and the medicinal properties of mint as viable alternatives to poppy production. Mint and saffron are showing early signs of success. The export feasibility of grapes, tomatoes, mushrooms and eggplants is also being examined. This includes not only crops but livestock, natural products, and post-harvest processing and rural services. DfID is working with RALF to improve dissemination of the results of the pilots.
The majority of DfID's funding for livelihoods is channelled through three national priority programmes which address the multiple constraints that prevent farmers moving away from poppy cultivation. This includes access to credit, markets, productive infrastructure and land.
The table below shows the total size of the Government's national priority programmes and highlights their successes. The column on the far right identifies DfID's contribution to these programmes.
Afghanistan: Reconstruction
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have made to the Government of Afghanistan regarding their national priority programme for reconstruction. [HL992]
The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos): The Department for International Development (DfID) puts around 70 per cent of its budget for Afghanistan through the national budget and national priority programmes. This helps the Afghan Government lead the reconstruction effort, co-ordinate development assistance and to be accountable to the Afghan people.
DfID is a major contributor to three national priority programmes of the Government of Afghanistan. These
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DfID has a significant interest in the management and implementation of these national programmes. Formal representations are made through the ARTF management board. In addition there is regular dialogue with the line ministry responsible and the national co-ordinators for each programme on issues such as funding, progress, expansion and impact and financial management.
Armed Forces: Allowances
Lord Burnett asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which additional allowances are payable to British troops deployed on active service in Afghanistan. [HL1018]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): Military personnel deployed to Afghanistan are eligible for the operational allowance and separation allowances. The operational allowance, announced by the Secretary of State for Defence on 10 October, is paid to all personnel who have deployed to or are still serving in Afghanistan, Iraq or the Balkans. It is to recognise the significantly increased and enduring nature of the danger in these operational locations. It is a tax-free lump sum payment worth around £2,240 for a six-month deployment and is paid at the end of a service person's qualifying tour as a one-off payment via salary once they return to their permanent unit.
Personnel are also entitled to separation allowances, either longer separated allowance (LSA—Royal Navy/Royal Marines and Royal Air Force) or longer separated service allowance (LSSA—Army only).
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