Reports of more troop deployments to Afghanistan raise serious questions - Moore

10.47.13am GMT Thu 26th Jan 2006

Michael Moore MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, responding to reports that the UK is to send another 3,500 troops to Afghanistan, said "The international consensus in support of Afghanistan remains strong, but we cannot escape the fact that the country remains in a parlous state and that this new mission in the south will be fraught with danger.

"If this deployment is made then the Government must explain how the issue of overstretch will be dealt with.

"With the contributions from other NATO partners still unresolved, we need to know if there is a limit on the number of British armed forces that will be made available or if Britain is committed to plugging any gaps left by other allies.

"And we also need to know what aid pledges have been given by the international community in anticipation of next week's London conference."