Downing Street Says » Afghanistan

» Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Afghanistan

Asked if the Prime Minister was moved by the remarks made to him by a soldier whilst on his visit to Afghanistan regarding the Armed Forces paying taxes, the PMS said that the Prime Minister found his trip to Afghanistan very important as he was able to see some of the new equipment coming into theatre and he was able to thank the troops directly. The Prime Minister also spoke to people on the ground about the elections and the process of Afghanisation, which was a very important next step. The Prime Minister also had a meeting with General McChrystal and a meeting with Governor Mangal.

In relation to the question put to the Prime Minister by Lance Corporal Dean Byfield it was important to bear in mind that people in the field received an operational allowance, instead of tax-free pay, which was a lump sum of 2,380. This was a more beneficial system for those ranks that paid less tax.

Asked for the Prime Minister’s response to the McChrystal report, the PMS said that the Prime Minister had not yet seen the report so it was not appropriate to make a comment. However, the Prime Minister had met with General McChrystal at the weekend in Afghanistan where they talked about the importance of Afghanisation.

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