UK Armed Forces in Iraq

Lord Spicer Excerpts

Monday 15th December 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Astor of Hever]

The noble Lord raises an important point about rules of engagement. As we are still scoping the numbers to go out and they are very small numbers, it is too early to say anything about the rules of engagement. But we are confident that members of the Armed Forces who are being sent out will be there in a training role and they will be far from the combat zone. Once we have finished our scoping, this important issue will be looked at very carefully.

[Lord Spicer (Con)]

Given the increasing instability in central Europe, are the Government not absolutely right to avoid mission creep in the Middle East?

[Lord Astor of Hever]

I am sorry but I missed the last part of my noble friend’s question.

[Lord Spicer]

Are the Government not right to avoid mission creep in the Middle East because of the growing instability in central Europe?

[Lord Astor of Hever]

I agree with my noble friend. We have absolutely no plans for mission creep. We have previously announced our intention to support the Iraqis with training their forces and, as I said earlier, the Iraqi Prime Minister has been very clear that they do not want to see western ground combat forces.