THE Ministry of Defence has confirmed that there are no plans to deploy the Queen's Lancashire Regiment to Iraq.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans had expressed fears that the QLR could be sent to the "Triangle of Death'' south of Baghdad when the Black Watch's tour of duty there is complete.

The QLR are currently on standby in Cyprus for deployment in Iraq if needed.

The Ribble Valley Tory spoke out after Tony Blair said at Prime Minister's Questions that more British troops might be needed in the dangerous area when the Black Watch are brought home before Christmas.

He had said: "When the Black Watch come home there will be a vacuum.

"That vacuum will have to be filled by and if it is not filled by other international soldiers, it could be by British soldiers. The Prime Minister has set a precedent."

Ministry of Defence spokesman, Paul Sykes, has said that the QLR will stay in Cyprus as the reserve battalion but there were no current plans to send them anywhere in Iraq.

He refused to name the UK units that could be involved or where they could be sent to.

Rumours of a QLR deployment began after the Cabinet approved the despatch of the Black Watch to support American forces around Baghdad.

The senior commander in Iraq then suggested that up to two more British battalions - totalling 1,300 men- could be deployed in the country to increase security.

A spokesman for the regiment said: "There was a lot of speculation in the media about a week ago because the troops are on stand-by out in Cyprus.

"It is true that the units are in Cyprus and are acclimatised to the hot conditions and because of the proximity to Iraq they are the first reserves if extra troops are needed in Southern Iraq.

"However as the MoD has stated there are no current plans to deploy the regiment to anywhere in Iraq."

The deployment of the Black Watch to support American troops has provoked huge public opposition in the UK.

Tony Blair had promised that the move would be temporary but was unable to say whether other British troops would be sent to take their place.

Speaking in the Commons earlier this week, he said: "We don't believe there will be a further requirement for other troops. But I can't commit myself.

"What I do know is that if there is any contingency, we are able to meet it."