To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will discuss with his German counterpart the provision by Germany of field hospital (a) equipment and (b) medical technicians for the NATO mission in Afghanistan.

Germany is a key ally in NATO and Europe, and I regularly discuss Defence issues with the German Defence Minister. We last met, in London, on 28 June 2010, where we discussed a range of Defence issues including Afghanistan. Medical support in Afghanistan is, however, controlled and co-ordinated through the international security assistance force (ISAF) headquarters. Coalition assets already work closely together with great success, with the requirement for medical support based on the operational need. ISAF has developed protocols to ensure all coalition personnel are supported in the most appropriate manner.