Defence

Michael Fallon Excerpts

Thursday 9th July 2015 Ministerial Corrections

The following is an extract from the speech made by the Secretary of State for Defence in the debate on Britain and International Security on 2 July 2015.

[Michael Fallon]

Since September RAF planes, with the agreement of this House, have carried out nearly 1,000 missions in Iraq and 300 strikes against ISIL bases. Last month we sent another 125 troops to train Iraqi forces and help them counter roadside and vehicle-borne bombs. Our surveillance aircraft are already assisting other coalition countries with their operations over Syria, and British forces are helping to train the moderate Syrian opposition. Overall, we now have more than 900 British personnel in the region. Last year we spent £45 million in the fight against ISIL. This financial year we plan to spend at least £75 million.

[Official Report, 2 July 2015, Vol. 597, c. 1670.]

Letter of correction from Michael Fallon:

Errors have been identified in the speech I gave during the debate on Britain and International Security.

The correct statement should have been:

[Michael Fallon]

Since September RAF planes, with the agreement of this House, have carried out nearly 1,000 missions in Iraq and 300 strikes against ISIL bases. Last month we announced that we would be sending up to another 125 troops to train Iraqi forces and help them counter roadside and vehicle-borne bombs. Our surveillance aircraft are already assisting other coalition countries with their operations over Syria, and British forces are helping to train the moderate Syrian opposition. Overall, we will have nearly 900 British personnel in the region. Last year we spent £45 million in the fight against ISIL. This financial year we plan to spend at least £75 million.