HC Deb 30 July 1974 vol 878 cc452-4
Mr. Robin F. Cook

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many commissioned and non-commissioned Servicemen, and from what forces, are currently serving in Oman.

The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Roy Mason)

About 200 volunteers from all three Services are serving on loan with the forces of the Sultan of Oman. A number of Army and RAF personnel are based at Salalah and at the RAF staging post on Masirah island. It is not customary to make public detailed deployments of Her Majesty's Forces.

Mr. Cook

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Can he also give the House the latest total of British casualties in this war? Can he clarify how many members of the Special Air Services are currently stationed in Oman and how, if they are there for personnel training, from time to time one of them is killed in a clash with rebel forces? Does my right hon. Friend agree that this sorry war, now in its eleventh year, is one of the most pathetic examples of the major world blocs playing two tiny nations off against each other? Therefore, will my right hon. Friend seek an international agreement to limit the supply to both sides of advisers and equipment, without which the war could not continue?

Mr. Mason

The men concerned are volunteers, and the Sultan is bearing all the costs. My hon. Friend is right: a unit of the SAS is in the Oman giving training assistance to the Sultan's forces. Occasionally there are casualties because they come into conflict with the rebels in the area, but I cannot give the exact figures of the casualties.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Is the Secretary of State aware that his hon. Friend seemed to show more glee than regret at British casualties? [Interruption.] If the hon. Gentleman cares to withdraw what he said, well and good. If I am mistaken, so much the better. Is the right hon. Gentleman of the opinion that Masirah Island is an essential point in the British defence strategy?

Mr. Mason

I would not at this stage stress to what extent it is essential. We are using it at present as a Royal Air Force staging post. I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman misunderstood my hon. Friends concern. I think he was registering concern that British Service men might be getting killed in the Oman. There is a conflict there, and I think he was expressing concern that the quicker the conflict was ended, the better.