Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Nick Harvey Excerpts
Monday 14th January 2013

(11 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Robathan Portrait Mr Robathan
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We work in close co-operation with the Americans and other ISAF allies, and we have a sensible trajectory to withdraw all our combat troops by the end of next year. We are already not involved in the face-to-face operations in which we were involved two years’ ago, and we are witnessing a thankful reduction in our casualties. We do not intend to bring our troops out early. We think that that would be a great disadvantage to peace in Afghanistan.

Nick Harvey Portrait Sir Nick Harvey (North Devon) (LD)
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May I ask my right hon. Friend about the process of packing up and getting our kit out of Afghanistan and bringing it home? How long will that take? When will it begin and finish? How many troops will be tied up in that logistical task rather than the combat task? How much kit are we going to leave behind?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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That was three or four questions. I shall indulge the former Minister—he is a knighted one, I note—but I know that the Minister will provide a pithy reply.