HC Deb 19 March 1991 vol 188 cc146-7
3. Mr. Jacques Arnold

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future deployment of British forces in the Gulf.

The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Tom King)

Security arrangements in the Gulf are primarily for the states of the region. We are ready to play our part if asked, but we do not envisage the permanent stationing of British ground forces in the area.

Mr. Arnold

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the achievement of our armed services in the Gulf during the past seven months will rank among the greatest campaigns in the history of the British armed forces? Does he also agree that the manner in which the campaign was planned and executed can be judged by the low level of casualties sustained by the British forces? Now that our service men are returning from the Gulf, will he give an assessment of the dangers of a delay of that return which may arise from the chaos and bloodshed now occurring in Iraq?

Mr. King

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his tribute to what was a remarkable team effort by all the armed forces and by those who supported them in industry and in the country as a whole. We are now moving very quickly towards the withdrawal of our forces. They are coming home at the rate of about 1,000 a day and they are certainly receiving a very warm welcome. We intend to proceed with the withdrawal, subject to satisfactory progress in terms of the ceasefire.

Mr. Alfred Morris

In what circumstances does the Minister envisage that hostilities against Iraq could be resumed?

Mr. King

The suspension of hostilities has occurred only recently. Clearly, we are watching developments very carefully. We want to see peace and security in the area—that was part of our objective in going there. At the moment, we do not see any circumstances in which we should become involved again.

Mr. Cyril D. Townsend

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the coming together in Damascus of eight Arab members of the coalition to produce defence plans for the Gulf gets the defence of the region off to a good start, while recognising the need for Britain to have maritime and air forces there? Can my right hon. Friend tell us anything about the future stockpiling of heavy equipment?

Mr. King

My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the success of the Damascus meeting and of the communiqué which recognised the role that could be played by Egyptian and Syrian forces as the nucleus for security in the area. We have certainly made clear our willingness to play our part and we are in close discussion with our allies and friends in the area to consider the most helpful way to do that—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. I appeal to the House to listen to Defence questions as they are very important.