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Answering member
X
Gordon Brown
Type
House
Session
Year
Department
Member
Primary member
Answering member
More
Brown, Gordon (33)
Legislative stage
Legislation
Subject
Publisher
Before any operation is carried out, we ask those in charge whether they have the equipment needed to undertake it. We are dealing here with a situation in which four people in a Snatch Land Rover faced a huge mine that blew up. At that stage, the mining detection equipment was not as good as it is now. It is a lot better now, and we have learned lessons over the past few years, which is why I say that 6,000 mine detectors will be out in Afghanistan in the next few months. On training, the Ministry of Defence has already said that training has improved and that it will look again at how it can improve further.
On Snatch Land Rovers, the hon. Gentleman will know that in 2006, we decided, on the recommendation of the Chiefs of Staff, to allocate £90 million to buying Mastiffs, Ridgbacks and other vehicles. He will also know that a contract for 200 light protected patrol vehicles to replace Snatch has been awarded in the past few days. Everything we can do to ensure that our vehicles are safer is being done, which is why 1,100 new vehicles have been made available since 2006 and why we spent £1.8 billion on it. I cannot bring these soldiers back to life, but I can assure him, and the soldiers' families, that we are doing everything we can to ensure that training is improved, equipment against mines is better and the vehicles in which people drive are safe.
Before any operation is carried out, we ask those in charge whether they have the equipment needed to undertake it. We are dealing here with a situation in which four people in a Snatch Land Rover faced a huge mine that blew up. At that stage, the mining detection equipment was not as good as it is now. It is a lot better now, and we have learned lessons over the past few years, which is why I say that 6,000 mine detectors will be out in Afghanistan in the next few months. On training, the Ministry of Defence has already said that training has improved and that it will look again at how it can improve further.
On Snatch Land Rovers, the hon. Gentleman will know that in 2006, we decided, on the recommendation of the Chiefs of Staff, to allocate £90 million to buying Mastiffs, Ridgbacks and other vehicles. He will also know that a contract for 200 light protected patrol vehicles to replace Snatch has been awarded in the past few days. Everything we can do to ensure that our vehicles are safer is being done, which is why 1,100 new vehicles have been made available since 2006 and why we spent £1.8 billion on it. I cannot bring these soldiers back to life, but I can assure him, and the soldiers' families, that we are doing everything we can to ensure that training is improved, equipment against mines is better and the vehicles in which people drive are safe.
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Asked by
Richard Bacon
(Conservative)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Type
Oral answers to questions
The Prime Minister referred earlier to vehicles, training and IEDs as the three issues that now need to be examined, but the Wiltshire and Swindon coroner, David Masters, made it clear that the soldiers whom the Prime Minister named earlier were killed unlawfully—that was the verdict—because they had unsuitable vehicles, inadequate training and insufficient bomb-detection equipment. Why would he send people into battle with unsuitable vehicles, inadequate training and insufficient bomb-detection equipment?
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan
Date
10 March 2010
Reference
507 c294
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Asked by
Richard Bacon
(Conservative)
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
10 March 2010
Notes
Lead question not printed.
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan
Date
10 March 2010
Reference
507 c294; 321221
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
We do not support or condone torture; we condemn torture. Any allegations of torture will go to the proper authorities to be investigated.
We do not support or condone torture; we condemn torture. Any allegations of torture will go to the proper authorities to be investigated.
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Type
Oral answers to questions
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan
Date
10 March 2010
Reference
507 c294
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I share the sympathies that the hon. Gentleman expresses to the family of his constituent who tragically lost his life. I share also with the hon. Gentleman the urgency to persuade the country that, first, we are in Afghanistan because there is a threat of terrorism on the streets of Britain. I repeat that the majority of the serious terrorist plots that have been discovered in Britain and would threaten the lives of people in Britain come from the Afghanistan-Pakistan area. In other words, they do not come from plots within Britain or Europe. They are organised from the Afghanistan-Pakistan area, and that is why we are in Afghanistan—to prevent al-Qaeda running Afghanistan through a Government who would be run by the Taliban themselves.
I say secondly to the hon. Gentleman that we have got to persuade people that we have a purpose for our mission, and that is to train up the Afghan forces. There will be 300,000 Afghan police, security forces or army in 2011; they will be a far greater force in numbers than the coalition forces together. Gradually, the Afghan forces, as in Operation Together, have got to take security control of their country to allow our troops to come home.
I share the sympathies that the hon. Gentleman expresses to the family of his constituent who tragically lost his life. I share also with the hon. Gentleman the urgency to persuade the country that, first, we are in Afghanistan because there is a threat of terrorism on the streets of Britain. I repeat that the majority of the serious terrorist plots that have been discovered in Britain and would threaten the lives of people in Britain come from the Afghanistan-Pakistan area. In other words, they do not come from plots within Britain or Europe. They are organised from the Afghanistan-Pakistan area, and that is why we are in Afghanistan—to prevent al-Qaeda running Afghanistan through a Government who would be run by the Taliban themselves.
I say secondly to the hon. Gentleman that we have got to persuade people that we have a purpose for our mission, and that is to train up the Afghan forces. There will be 300,000 Afghan police, security forces or army in 2011; they will be a far greater force in numbers than the coalition forces together. Gradually, the Afghan forces, as in Operation Together, have got to take security control of their country to allow our troops to come home.
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Benyon
(Conservative)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Type
Oral answers to questions
The words of respect that the Prime Minister spoke today about Lieutenant Douglas Dalzell will be echoed in every corner of the west Berkshire community from where he came. Does the Prime Minister agree that nearly everyone in this country supports our troops, but that a sizeable proportion of the population are at least sceptical of our role in Afghanistan? Does he share my feeling that there is a moral imperative on him and his Ministers to articulate and inform people of the value of the work that our troops do there, and of the necessity of stabilising that region?
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan
Date
24 February 2010
Reference
506 c298-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Asked by
Lord Benyon
(Conservative)
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
24 February 2010
Notes
Lead question not printed
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan
Date
24 February 2010
Reference
506 c298-9; 317422
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Asked by
Andrew Mackinlay
(Labour)
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
13 January 2010
Notes
Lead question not printed
Subjects
Afghanistan; Reconstruction
Date
13 January 2010
Reference
503 c688; 310408
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I have investigated the issue. Rightly, it is asked of us why the turbine is not working, when it was delivered at great cost in terms of lives and effort. Other sources of power have been found for the areas that were supposed to be served, but it is still our intention that that turbine be used to create the power that is necessary for the economic advance that is possible.
I have investigated the issue. Rightly, it is asked of us why the turbine is not working, when it was delivered at great cost in terms of lives and effort. Other sources of power have been found for the areas that were supposed to be served, but it is still our intention that that turbine be used to create the power that is necessary for the economic advance that is possible.
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Asked by
Andrew Mackinlay
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Type
Oral answers to questions
Does the Prime Minister recall in September 2008 acclaiming the success of the 16 Air Assault Brigade and 2,000 British soldiers in delivering to the Kajaki dam a turbine? Will he tell the House why that turbine, which cost lives, has not been installed? Who makes these important military so-called strategic decisions? The turbine was delivered at a high price and has not been installed—
Subjects
Afghanistan; Reconstruction
Date
13 January 2010
Reference
503 c688
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
(2) what official gifts he and his predecessor have received from the President of Afghanistan in each year since 2001.
(2) what official gifts he and his predecessor have received from the President of Afghanistan in each year since 2001.
Asked by
Adam Holloway
(Conservative)
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
11 December 2009
For answer on
15 December 2009
Answered on
7 January 2010
The Government have published annual lists of gifts received and given by Ministers in an official capacity valued at more than £140 since 2001. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. Information for the current financial year will be published in the usual way.
Subjects
Prime Minister; Afghanistan; Official gifts
Date
7 January 2010
Reference
503 c488W; 307751
House
House of Commons
We give as much information as possible on what is happening in Afghanistan. We have 9,000 troops there, and we report to the House whenever there have been fatalities. I have reported today also that five soldiers have been seriously injured. Many of them will end up at Selly Oak hospital in Birmingham for the best treatment that they could receive, and of course I am happy to give as much information as possible, consistent with what the Chief of the Defence Staff advises.
We give as much information as possible on what is happening in Afghanistan. We have 9,000 troops there, and we report to the House whenever there have been fatalities. I have reported today also that five soldiers have been seriously injured. Many of them will end up at Selly Oak hospital in Birmingham for the best treatment that they could receive, and of course I am happy to give as much information as possible, consistent with what the Chief of the Defence Staff advises.
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Asked by
David TC Davies
(Conservative)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Type
Oral answers to questions
Does the Prime Minister agree that the Ministry of Defence should publish regular figures showing the number of soldiers who have lost limbs or suffered other life-changing injuries in Afghanistan? If he does, will he let me have those figures by the end of the week?
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan
Date
4 November 2009
Reference
498 c856
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Asked by
David TC Davies
(Conservative)
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
4 November 2009
Notes
Lead question not printed.
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan
Date
4 November 2009
Reference
498 c856; 297511
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
First, as the elections take place—and the date has already been set—we must ensure that there are sufficient monitors as well as sufficient security. One of the problems during the last election was that there were insufficient monitors, which allowed corrupt ballots to take place. Secondly, we must work towards a political solution. It is not simply a military solution that we are looking for. We want to strengthen local government so that people in Afghanistan feel that they have a stake in the future of the country, and we want to have a corruption-free central Government. That is one of the problems with which we have been dealing for many years.
We—the Americans, NATO and others—will have to sign a contract with the new President, whoever he is, so that early action can be taken to deal with those abuses. In the longer term, of course, we want to split the Taliban ideologues from the others, and to reconcile where that is possible, so that we can build a stronger democratic centre to ensure the future of Afghanistan. Our role is to be there to build up the Afghan military and police so that they are able to take more responsibility for their own affairs and, as a result, the number of our troops can fall.
First, as the elections take place—and the date has already been set—we must ensure that there are sufficient monitors as well as sufficient security. One of the problems during the last election was that there were insufficient monitors, which allowed corrupt ballots to take place. Secondly, we must work towards a political solution. It is not simply a military solution that we are looking for. We want to strengthen local government so that people in Afghanistan feel that they have a stake in the future of the country, and we want to have a corruption-free central Government. That is one of the problems with which we have been dealing for many years.
We—the Americans, NATO and others—will have to sign a contract with the new President, whoever he is, so that early action can be taken to deal with those abuses. In the longer term, of course, we want to split the Taliban ideologues from the others, and to reconcile where that is possible, so that we can build a stronger democratic centre to ensure the future of Afghanistan. Our role is to be there to build up the Afghan military and police so that they are able to take more responsibility for their own affairs and, as a result, the number of our troops can fall.
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Asked by
John Baron
(Conservative)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Type
Oral answers to questions
Even those of us who believed that the Government fundamentally underestimated the task when they first became involved in Afghanistan felt that the recent fraud-ridden presidential election was a worrying development. Given that the Prime Minister is aware that troops provide time and space but not a political solution—which will be an essential part of the jigsaw if we are now to succeed—what lessons has he learned from this period when it comes to any election run-off?
Subjects
Elections; Afghanistan
Date
28 October 2009
Reference
498 c282
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I think my right hon. Friend will agree that new investment in British Waterways has been very important to guaranteeing its future. We must consider how we can get further new investment into British Waterways for the future: that is our principal aim.
I think my right hon. Friend will agree that new investment in British Waterways has been very important to guaranteeing its future. We must consider how we can get further new investment into British Waterways for the future: that is our principal aim.
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Asked by
Alun Michael
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Type
Oral answers to questions
My right hon. Friend will be aware that during his period as Chancellor and Prime Minister, British canals have been turned around from being a drain on our nation's resources to being a national asset. Will he ensure that British Waterways is seen not as an asset to be sold off, but as an asset to be treasured—like our national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty—and used for public benefit as well as local regeneration?
Subjects
Elections; Afghanistan
Date
28 October 2009
Reference
498 c282
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Asked by
John Baron
(Conservative)
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
28 October 2009
Notes
Lead question not printed.
Subjects
Elections; Afghanistan
Date
28 October 2009
Reference
498 c282; 295959
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the implications for the NATO mission in Afghanistan of the government of Canada's decision to withdraw combat forces in 2011; and if he will make a statement.
To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the implications for the NATO mission in Afghanistan of the government of Canada's decision to withdraw combat forces in 2011; and if he will make a statement.
Asked by
Gordon Prentice
(Labour)
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
13 October 2009
For answer on
15 October 2009
Answered on
19 October 2009
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 14 October 2009, Official Report, column 313.
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan
Date
19 October 2009
Reference
497 c1210W; 293647
House
House of Commons
To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had with the Chief of the Defence Staff on the announcement he made in Afghanistan on additional personnel, unmanned aerial vehicles, the Warthog vehicle and Ridgeback vehicles.
To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had with the Chief of the Defence Staff on the announcement he made in Afghanistan on additional personnel, unmanned aerial vehicles, the Warthog vehicle and Ridgeback vehicles.
Asked by
Gerald Howarth
(Conservative)
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
9 October 2009
For answer on
12 October 2009
Answered on
12 October 2009
I have regular meetings and discussions with ministerial colleagues and others including the Chief of the Defence staff on a wide range of subjects. The Chief of the Defence staff accompanied me on my visit to Afghanistan in August.
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan
Date
12 October 2009
Reference
497 c20-1W;497 c20W; 291572
House
House of Commons
I shall look at what the hon. Gentleman says, but I think that he knows that there was an announcement in one respect by Her Majesty the Queen only two weeks ago. I shall look specifically at his recommendation.
I shall look at what the hon. Gentleman says, but I think that he knows that there was an announcement in one respect by Her Majesty the Queen only two weeks ago. I shall look specifically at his recommendation.
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Asked by
Gregory Campbell
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Type
Oral answers to questions
In recent days, we have paid tribute to our servicemen and women in Afghanistan, and my right hon. Friend indicated that earlier. Previously we did that in Iraq and, for 30 years before that, in Northern Ireland. Surely now would be an appropriate time to consider some form of permanent recognition for these courageous service personnel, who deserve the enduring gratitude of the entire nation.
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan
Date
15 July 2009
Reference
496 c290
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Any redundancies and any loss of jobs are to be regretted. I believe that we will be able to help those people who are losing their jobs back into work. We also want to secure a future for Halewood. We have offered JLR a grant of £27 million towards the development of low-carbon Land Rovers at the plant. They would be produced there. We are trying to do what we can to replace lost jobs and I will work with my right hon. Friend, because I know that he does a great deal in this area, and with others in the region to make sure that jobs come to Halewood.
Any redundancies and any loss of jobs are to be regretted. I believe that we will be able to help those people who are losing their jobs back into work. We also want to secure a future for Halewood. We have offered JLR a grant of £27 million towards the development of low-carbon Land Rovers at the plant. They would be produced there. We are trying to do what we can to replace lost jobs and I will work with my right hon. Friend, because I know that he does a great deal in this area, and with others in the region to make sure that jobs come to Halewood.
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Asked by
George Howarth
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Type
Oral answers to questions
My right hon. Friend will be aware that this morning Jaguar Land Rover announced that it was phasing out the X-type model and that 300 jobs would be lost at the Halewood plant. Obviously, my right hon. Friend will agree that that is a severe blow to the Liverpool city region. Will he give me an assurance that the Government will do everything that they can to secure the long-term future of Jaguar Land Rover at Halewood?
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan
Date
15 July 2009
Reference
496 c290
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Asked by
Gregory Campbell
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
15 July 2009
Notes
Lead question not printed
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan
Date
15 July 2009
Reference
496 c290; 286662
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Prime Minister what recent advice he has received from the Chief of the Afghan staff regarding future troop levels in Afghanistan.
To ask the Prime Minister what recent advice he has received from the Chief of the Afghan staff regarding future troop levels in Afghanistan.
Asked by
Lord Soames of Fletching
(Conservative)
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
1 June 2009
For answer on
4 June 2009
Answered on
4 June 2009
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Barrow and Furness (Mr. Hutton) on 1 June 2009, Official Report, column 12.
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan
Date
4 June 2009
Reference
493 c639W; 278025
House
House of Commons
To ask the Prime Minister who is responsible for determining the UK's strategy in Afghanistan.
To ask the Prime Minister who is responsible for determining the UK's strategy in Afghanistan.
Asked by
Lord Soames of Fletching
(Conservative)
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
1 June 2009
For answer on
4 June 2009
Answered on
4 June 2009
I accept responsibility for UK strategy in Afghanistan. I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made to the House on 29 April 2009, Official Report, column 869-73.
Subjects
Peacekeeping operations; Afghanistan
Date
4 June 2009
Reference
493 c639W; 278024
House
House of Commons