Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Operation Telic

20 March 2023 · 3 other contributors

Opened by Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North

Veterans

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Dan Jarvis raised concerns about operation telic in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Dan Jarvis paid tribute to the soldiers, sailors, and aviators who served in Operation Telic, highlighting the unique challenges they faced, including chemical warfare drills and fear of danger.
  • Jarvis emphasized the camaraderie among troops and the support provided by religious leaders, and called for continued support for veterans and their families.
  • Minister Nigel Evans acknowledged the bravery and sacrifice of British service personnel in Operation Telic, noting the enduring bond between Iraq and the UK in working towards peace and stability.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North

Dan Jarvis, a veteran who served in the Iraq war, paid tribute to those who lost their lives and were injured during Operation Telic. He acknowledged the sacrifices made by soldiers, sailors, and aviators and highlighted the unique challenges they faced, including chemical warfare drills and the fear of imminent danger. Jarvis emphasised the camaraderie among troops and the support provided by religious leaders. He also noted the 179 lives lost and over 5,000 injured, many of whom still live with physical or mental injuries. The speech called for support for veterans and their families.

Other contributors (3)
  • Nigel Evans Ind Barnsley North

    Evans thanked Jarvis for his service and the opportunity to reflect on Operation Telic, expressing regret over how decisions in government led to unnecessary suffering for veterans.

  • Adam Holloway Con Gravesend

    Holloway shared personal experiences from Iraq during both Gulf wars, noting the lack of clear political objectives and poor planning that resulted in chaos and insecurity. He stressed the importance of proper plans before committing troops.

  • Andrew Murrison Con South Dorset

    Murrison paid tribute to Jarvis's service and his tribute, reflecting on his own experience as a medical officer during Telic 2. He highlighted the significant deployment of UK forces and the complexities they faced, leading to long-term consequences.

Government Response

Nigel Evans

Minister Nigel Evans acknowledged the bravery and sacrifice of British service personnel in Operation Telic. He paid tribute to those who lost their lives, noting that the decision to deploy military force remains controversial but the courage and professionalism of those who served should not be questioned. The minister emphasised the enduring bond between Iraq and the UK today, focused on defeating Daesh and achieving peace and stability. Evans laid a wreath at the Iraq and Afghanistan memorial outside the MOD main building, highlighting the words 'duty' and 'service'. He concluded by thanking Dan Jarvis for bringing this debate to Parliament.

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