Blair is a lame duck PM, Gordon and the Treasury's reply is obvious in the article...
In response to Mr Blair's offer of resources, Brig Butler, the outgoing commander of the troops in the southern Helmand province, said helicopters had always been his top priority. "They are working very hard and there's been some phenomenal flying from the pilots in very difficult and dangerous conditions," he said. "If we had more, then clearly we could generate a higher tempo, not just offensive operations but also to crack on with the reconstruction and development. "Clearly, helicopters can't be grown overnight, nor can some of the other machinery - so there's a prioritisation that will have to be taken."
The Ministry of Defence said it was not aware of a specific request for extra helicopters from Brig Butler. "The commanders have what they need to do the mission, Obviously, if they had more they could do more with it. That is what Brig Butler has always said," am MoD spokesman said....
"And when the prime minister says that we will send as many men as our commanders require, where are we going to get them from?" .....
