BROWN'S TRIBUTE TO WAR HEROES; PM TELLS OF PRIDE AS 500 TROOPS HEAD FOR AFGANISTAN: 'Nothing can erase pain for families'.

Byline: Kevin Schofield

MPS sat in silent tribute yesterday as the Prime Minister praised Britain's heroes in Afghanistan.

In an emotional tribute, Gordon Brown said: "Nothing can erase the pain for families.

"Nothing can be greater than the pride we take in their contribution to our country and our sadness at their loss."

Brown read out the names of 37 service personnel - including four Scots - killed since the House of Commons had last sat.

It came as the PM announced that another 500 British troops are to be sent to Afghanistan to take on the Taliban. It will take the size of the UK force in the war-torn country up to 9500.

Brown also laid down a number of conditions which will have to be met before the additional troops are deployed. He said British servicemen and women would have to be properly trained and equipped before they are sent.

More Afghan troops will have to be trained up to work alongside the British forces, while other countries will also have to send their "fair share" of reinforcements.

Brown said: "The combination of force levels, equipment levels and tasks I am setting out follows the clear military advice from the Chiefs of Staff and our commanders on the ground, both on implementing our strategy and on reducing the risk to our forces.

"And it is on this basis that I have agreed in principle to a new British force level of 9500 once these conditions are met."

The PM has come under severe pressure in recent weeks over the Government's strategy in Afghanistan.

He has denied accusations that he turned down previous demands for extra troops from Army chiefs - as well as claims that UK troops do not have the right kit.

The new head of the Army, General Sir David Richards, yesterday gave Brown his support.

He said: "We asked for 9500 and that is what we have got."

Mission But former defence secretary John Hutton said Brown's announcement was too late.

He said: "I think it would have been much more helpful if we'd had these additional troops out there six months ago.

"If this is a mission about national security, then you do everything that you need to do to secure it.

"You've got to prosecute these campaigns absolutely clearly and with the right force levels to succeed."

Tory leader David Cameron said: "The Prime Minister has said that the deployment of extra troops i conditional on the military assuring him they have the necessary equipment and training. "Won't many people think - isn't it the Government's responsibility to make sure they have that necessary equipment? "And might they also ask- whyis it that after eight years we are still playing catch-up on equipment?" SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson called for a review of the Government's Afghan strategy.

He said: "A further deployment must be dependent on the PM convincing us that the government actually has a credible strategy in place and the necessary equipment in the hands of our forces. "There remain too many unanswered questions."

Flower powerGORDON Brown donated pounds 20 to the poppy appeal yesterday as he launched the 2009 campaign to raise money for armed forces veterans and their families. The Prime Minister bought his poppy from Black Watch soldier Private Wayne Hardy on the steps of No10. Wayne, who has rung up two tours of duty in the Middle East presented the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP with a Raith Rovers shirt with a poppy emblazoned on the front. Brown is a lifelong fan of Raith, who will be wearing the poppy shirts ahead of Armistice Day on November 11. Inside No10, Chancellor Alistair Darling also gave pounds 20 to the appeal.

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