To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons his Department changed the methodology for collating the number of personnel undertaking operations and other military tasks in 2005-06; and if he will make a statement.

The methodology for collating numbers of personnel on operations and other military tasks has not changed.

Officials have reviewed the tables in my previous answer of 4 September 2006, Hansard, columns 1682-84W, and established that the answer was incorrect. Annual reports up to 2004-05 should have made clear that the percentages quoted for the Army did include those preparing for or recovering from operations.