Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are attached to the British high commission in Islamabad; what the rank of such personnel is; and what duties they perform. [91849]

Nick Harvey MP; Minister for the Armed Forces: There are five service personnel that form the Defence Section in the British high commission in Islamabad. Their current roles and ranks are shown in the following table:

Defence section role                Rank

Defence Adviser                         OF-6/1* (Brigadier)

Air and Naval Adviser                  OF-5 (Group Captain)

Assistant Defence Adviser           OF-4 (Lieutenant Colonel)

Assistant Military Adviser             OF-2 (Captain)

Assistant Air and Naval Adviser    OR-6 (Petty Officer)

The Defence Attaché is appointed to the high commissioner in Islamabad as the Chief of the Defence Staff's representative and Head of the Defence Section representing the Ministry of Defence and UK armed forces. The Defence Section works closely with the Government of Pakistan to pursue a close bilateral defence relationship, build partnerships between our armed forces, and provide bespoke military support to Her Majesty's Government's policy priorities to protect and promote the UK's influence and interests.