Statement on future force levels in Afghanistan
27 April 2012 (updated on 27 April 2012)
Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond, made a statement in the House of Commons on 26 April on future force levels in Afghanistan.
Force levels in Afghanistan
The Secretary of State for Defence repeated the Government's intention to reduce force levels in Afghanistan from 9,500 to 9,000 by the end of the year and explained how this is to be achieved. He also announced a further 200 combat troops will be transferred from ground-holding roles to security force assistance teams working with the Afghan National Security Forces.
The Secretary of State affirmed the Government's intention to end combat operation in Afghainstan by December 2014.
Shadow Minister for Defence, Russell Brown, responded to the statement on behalf of the Opposition.
Watch and read the statement and the views expressed by MPs on Parliament TV and in Commons Hansard. Also find current parliamentary material on Afghanistan in the Topics and News sections.
- Parliament TV: Statement on future force levels in Afghanistan
- Commons Hansard: Statement on future force levels in Afghanistan
- Topics: Afghanistan
- Parliamentary news: Afghanistan
Oral statements
Oral statements are made after Question Time (or at 11am on a Friday). Statements normally relate to matters of policy or government actions. At the end of a statement, MPs can respond or question the government minister on its contents.