§ 10. Mr. Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath)If he will make a statement on the threat from terrorism to UK forces in Cyprus. [128427]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Ivor Caplin)All threats to United Kingdom forces in Cyprus are carefully monitored and contingency plans are in place to handle a range of eventualities, including the possibility of terrorist attack.
§ Mr. HawkinsAs the Minister is well aware, I have many constituents serving in the Royal Logistic Corps and other regiments stationed on the sovereign bases on Cyprus or working as troops under UN command. Does the hon. Gentleman recognise that there are many of us in all parts of the House who take an interest in Cyprus and who are concerned at the potential risks to our forces there? Is he prepared to meet those of us who take an interest in Cyprus to discuss those concerns? Will he confirm that the Government intend to keep in regular touch with President Tassos Papadopoulos and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus on any terrorist threats to the sovereign bases or to the Republic of Cyprus?
§ Mr. CaplinI know of the hon. Gentleman's interest in the matter, and the interest taken by the entire House. There are many parliamentary groups that represent the interests of Cyprus. Clearly, the important thing for us is protection of our armed forces, and I can reassure the hon. Gentleman that that is one of our highest priorities in Cyprus. I will be happy to meet him and other colleagues, as I am sure would others in the Ministry.
§ Mr. Gerald Howarth (Aldershot)Cyprus is one of the countries that last year's Iraq dossier clearly implied could be attacked at 45 minutes' notice. How does that square with John Scarlett's evidence to the Hutton inquiry that the 45 minutes referred to battlefield mortars and small-calibre weaponry—clearly not weapons of mass destruction capable of reaching Cyprus? So to which weapons was the Prime Minister referring in his own preface when he stated that Iraq's military planning
allows for some of the WMD to be ready within 45 minutes of an order to use them"?Perhaps the Secretary of State's special adviser might be able to give us a more accurate answer.
§ Mr. CaplinWe stand by our assessment in the dossier of 24 September. That element of the threat has been significantly reduced by the recent operations in Iraq.