Bob Ainsworth (Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence; Coventry North East, Labour)

In April this year, after considering options in consultation with the service chiefs, we announced an uplift in force levels to 9,000 for the period of the election in Afghanistan. The Prime Minister confirmed on 14 October that we had agreed to maintain UK troops at that level beyond the election period.

We have also agreed in principle a new force level of 9,500, which will be put into effect subject to the following conditions: first, that the new Afghan Government bring forward the Afghan troops to be trained and to fight alongside our forces; secondly, that our commitment is part of an agreed approach and burden-sharing across the international coalition; and thirdly, that military commanders are satisfied that the extra troops are properly equipped for what they are being asked to do.

In all, that means that, in principle, we have increased our troop numbers by about 1,500 in just over six months.

Bob Ainsworth (Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence; Coventry North East, Labour)

Yes.

Bernard Jenkin (North Essex, Conservative)

The Secretary of State spoke of the requirement for the extra troops to be properly equipped. Is he saying, in effect, that he has received no offers of extra helicopters for Afghanistan?

Bob Ainsworth (Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence; Coventry North East, Labour)

I have received lots of offers of extra helicopters for Afghanistan. What I have not received is an offer for what was described over the weekend as the ability, for the sum of £7 million a month, of about 20 Chinooks to ferry our troops around.

Adam Holloway (Gravesham, Conservative)

That is not correct.

Bob Ainsworth (Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence; Coventry North East, Labour)

That is what was said on the television by Mr. Holloway, who is now remonstrating with me from a sedentary position. We do have, and we will assess, offers of helicopters for logistics and supplies. If any Member wants to encourage us to put in a bid for a new contract in that regard, we shall be happy to evaluate it, but the idea that we can secure additional lift for our troops in the way in which our nation was told we could at the weekend is total, complete and utter nonsense.

Geoffrey Robinson (Coventry North West, Labour)

Will my right hon. Friend add a fourth condition to the three that he listed, namely that there should be substantial progress in the elimination of corruption at the centre in Afghanistan and in Kandahar province? Will he bear in mind that any further measures relating to presidential elections will be a pointless and dangerous exercise until that progress is made?

John Bercow (Speaker)

Again, one answer to the two questions will do.

Bob Ainsworth (Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence; Coventry North East, Labour)

I agree with my hon. Friend that it is essential for the Afghan Government to address the issue of corruption and governance, and to reach out to the whole of the Afghan population as well.