Former Yugoslavia (Hansard, 2 April 1996)

§ 6. Mr. Gapes
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on plans for the phased withdrawal of British troops from IFOR; and if Her Majesty's Government plan to keep any British forces in former Yugoslavia after 31 December. [22310]

§ The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Michael Portillo)
Under the terms of the Dayton peace agreement, and UN Security Council resolution 1031, IFOR's mandate expires at the end of the year. The British contingent to IFOR will withdraw along with other IFOR forces. Planning the withdrawal is a matter for NATO; the United Kingdom is participating fully in this process.

§ Mr. Gapes
I am grateful to the Secretary of State for clarifying that. Can he assure us that, this time next year, British forces in former Yugoslavia will not be trying to hold the ring in a possible three-way conflict in a resumed civil war while the United States has cut and run, and pulled out to arm one side in that conflict?

§ Mr. Portillo
I have said repeatedly that NATO has deployed together, is working together and will withdraw together. The hon. Gentleman has advocated the withdrawal of British troops for a long time. I well understand his reasons, but I believe that the performance of British forces in Bosnia under the UN and NATO has done a great deal to save lives and has brought enormous credit to our forces.

§ Mr. Colvin
Can my right hon. Friend confirm that when the time comes for our troops to come back from former Yugoslavia, they can do so without having to wait to thumb a lift from our United States allies? Does he recall that that was necessary when the troops were deployed to Yugoslavia? Can he confirm or deny two recent reports in the press—first, that the French have withdrawn from the future large aircraft project, and secondly, that the MOD is procuring ro-ro liners to supplement the Royal Fleet Auxiliary?

§ Mr. Portillo
On the last point, during the formation of the joint rapid deployment force—to which I would have referred had I been asked Question 4—we have seen the need to acquire roll-on, roll-off craft to transport heavy equipment. The future large aircraft is not at present being funded by the French Government, and we are seeking clarification of their position. As far as transporting our soldiers back from Bosnia is concerned, I do not approach this on a nationalistic basis. It is a NATO operation, and we should use those elements of transport that provide the best value for money and the best security for our returning soldiers.

§ Mr. Spellar
Does the Secretary of State think that after their tremendous work in IFOR, our troops will be impressed to find on their return that their homes are being sold from under them and that their rents are being 138 jacked up by 10 to 25 per cent. to pay for the exercise? Will he finally now recognise that the sale of the married quarters estate is dictated by dogma—

§ Madam Speaker
Order. The issue of the married quarters estate is far away from the issue of IFOR. Members must relate supplementary questions to the substantive question. It is very important that the hon. Gentleman follows the substantive question on the Order Paper. If he can do that, it is fine. If he cannot, I shall move on.

§ Mr. Spellar
Will the Secretary of State, even at this stage, stop the ill-thought-out sell-out of service houses before the troops return from Bosnia—

§ Madam Speaker
Order. That question has no relationship to IFOR.

§ Sir Patrick Cormack
Does my right hon. Friend accept that there is universal admiration for the way in which our forces are working in Bosnia and for the co-operation of all the NATO forces? Will he assure the House that the success of their operation will not be jeopardised by too rigid an adherence to timetables?

§ Mr. Portillo
I recognise, as my hon. Friend says, that there is universal acclaim for the work that the forces are doing. That acclaim is not confined to one side of the House. Quite properly, the whole nation is joined in admiration for their work.
It is important that the former warring factions should recognise that NATO has set itself a deadline, that the NATO operation can be completed in that period and that civilian reconstruction and the putting in place of the institutions of a normally functioning state can all be done in that time. It must be recognised that at some point, we shall rely on the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina to construct a lasting peace; they cannot rely for ever on the outside world to impose it. Although I recognise the point underlying my hon. Friend's question, I underline that message to the former waning factions.