We recognise the dangerous work undertaken by our patrol interpreters in the course of their employment and, for those who were still serving when drawdown of the operation was announced, this is reflected in the terms of the ex-gratia redundancy scheme. The scheme is additional to the contractual redundancy entitlement and provides a generous in-country package of training and financial support for up to five years; or, a financial payment equivalent to 18 months' salary; or, for those who fulfil additional eligibility criteria by working on the frontline in Helmand (largely interpreters), the opportunity to apply for relocation to the UK.<\/p>
This meets the Afghan Government's concern that we should support the country's development and avoid precipitating a 'brain-drain'. But it also recognises the debt we owe to these people.<\/p>
We take the safety of current and former local staff very seriously, and they are encouraged to raise with us any concerns about their safety arising from their employment. Such concerns are thoroughly investigated by a professional team on the ground in Afghanistan, and are addressed under our Intimidation Policy.<\/p>
The majority of cases of intimidation are addressed through in-country measures, for example, by providing security advice or in some cases relocation within Afghanistan. In the most extreme cases, the policy provides for relocation of the member of staff and their immediate family to the UK. This is through a bespoke immigration mechanism, separate from UK asylum arrangements.<\/p>
The monitoring of staff who have left our employment indicates that they currently face a low risk to their safety as a result of their employment with the UK, and that this further recedes over time.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1444", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Francois"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rayleigh and Wickford"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Francois"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-12-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/166699/answer/previousversion/31989", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1444", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Francois"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rayleigh and Wickford"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Francois"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-12-08T17:09:01.523Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-11-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Afghanistan: Interpreters"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what financial and logistical support has been provided to Afghan nationals who have provided contract translation services to UK military and medical auxiliary personnel since 2001 but are no longer in the employ of the armed forces of British authorities in Afghanistan; and what assistance is provided to assist such translators in applying for political asylum in the UK in circumstances where they face death threats in Afghanistan.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Flynn"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newport West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Paul Flynn"} ], "uin" : "216383"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93525", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93525/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
As of 12 November, the UK has conducted 16 strikes in Iraq from Tornado and Reaper aircraft using Paveway IV bombs and Hellfire and Brimstone missiles against a range of targets including vehicles, troop positions, heavy weapons and facilities. Assessments of these strikes have shown that they hit and destroyed their targets successfully. An accurate count of ISIL casualties cannot always be made in this type of environment. All air strikes are conducted in accordance with the Rules of Engagement and international humanitarian law. Careful selection, approval and close observation of targets prior to a strike and the use of precision guided munitions minimises collateral damage and the potential for civilian casualties. To date we have not received any reports of civilian casualties, which is supported by our own analysis of each attack.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1444", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Francois"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rayleigh and Wickford"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Francois"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93525/answer/previousversion/23776", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1444", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Francois"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rayleigh and Wickford"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Francois"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-24T16:55:27.85Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Iraq"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many targets the Royal Air Force has hit in Iraq since 26 September 2014; how many casualties have occurred as a result; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Flynn"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newport West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Paul Flynn"} ], "uin" : "210712"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93139", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93139/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
There are currently around 20 UK Armed Forces Personnel performing various non-combat roles in Northern Iraq. The majority of this number deployed before 26 September 2014.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1444", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Francois"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rayleigh and Wickford"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Francois"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/93139/answer/previousversion/23531", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1444", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Francois"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rayleigh and Wickford"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Francois"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-27T16:47:01.653785Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Iraq"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many British forces have been deployed on the ground in northern Iraq since 26 September 2014.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Flynn"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newport West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Paul Flynn"} ], "uin" : "210435"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/89539", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/89539/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
As a member of the US coalition, the UK is committed to countering ISIL in Iraq and Syria. British personnel have been providing logistical, liaison and surveillance support in Iraq and will continue to do so. From 27 September 2014, following the parliamentary vote, the RAF began flying strike missions over Iraq. We have also recently sent a small team to provide short term training to Kurdish forces. These troops are not deployed in a ground combat role.
Additionally, as part of our preparations for a potential humanitarian airlift from the Sinjar Mountains in August, we deployed military personnel to Erbil. These troops were recovered to Cyprus when it became clear that the operation would not go ahead.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1444", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Francois"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rayleigh and Wickford"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Francois"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/89539/answer/previousversion/18504", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1444", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Francois"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rayleigh and Wickford"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Francois"}
}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-16T16:20:56.8135416Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-08-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Armed Forces: Deployment"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any British military personnel have been deployed to (a) Northern Iraq, (b) Iraqi Kurdistan and (c) Northern Syria since June 2014.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Flynn"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newport West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Paul Flynn"}
], "uin" : "207379"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/89541", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/89541/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
<\/p>
Iraqi security force losses of military equipment since January 2014 cannot be accurately quantified. Known losses of equipment supplied by NATO members include howitzers and their tractors, an armoured personnel carrier and numerous vehicles, small arms and munitions. We continue to monitor the situation closely.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1444", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Francois"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rayleigh and Wickford"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Francois"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-09-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/89541/answer/previousversion/18506", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1444", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Francois"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rayleigh and Wickford"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Francois"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-09-11T15:15:56.0988814Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-08-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Defence Equipment"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the amount of military equipment supplied to Iraq by NATO states that has been appropriated by ISIS in 2014.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Flynn"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newport West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Paul Flynn"} ], "uin" : "207376"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/50043", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/50043/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Kandahar Helmand Power Project to enhance the electrical power output of the Kajaki Dam is not funded by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), but by the US Agency for International Development and the US Army Corps of Engineers. The MOD is therefore unable to provide a thorough estimate of costs. In 2008, the UK's 16 Air Assault Brigade provided protection for the movement of a turbine to Kajaki. By the end of 2014, the project aims to deliver reliable, sustainable electricity to around two million people in Kandahar and Helmand, and to support the continued development of the regional South-East Power System (SEPS) power grid.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1444", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Francois"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rayleigh and Wickford"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Francois"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-05-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/50043/answer/previousversion/9752", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1444", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Francois"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rayleigh and Wickford"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Francois"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-05-14T12:00:00.00Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-05-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost of the work done on the Kajaki Dam project in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Flynn"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newport West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Paul Flynn"} ], "uin" : "198096"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/45519", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/45519/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The installation of US communications systems at RAF Croughton is a matter for the United States Visiting Forces. No discussions have taken place in respect to the installation by BT of a special communications system to link RAF Croughton with the Department of Defence headquarters in the US, and US Forces in Djibouti.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1444", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Francois"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rayleigh and Wickford"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Francois"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-04-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/45519/answer/previousversion/4537", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1444", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Francois"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rayleigh and Wickford"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Mark Francois"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-04-08T12:00:00.00Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-03-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with the United States Department of Defense (USDoD) in respect of the installation by BT of a special communications system to link RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire with the USDoD headquarters in Washington DC and the US Africa headquarters for unmanned aircraft operations in Djibouti.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/545", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Flynn"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newport West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Paul Flynn"} ], "uin" : "194144"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 7, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }