§ 3.2 p.m.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government how far British pilots, officers and naval personnel are participating in the civil war in Oman and the territory of South Yemen.
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, a number of British officers are seconded to the Sultan's Armed Forces and the Sultan of Oman's Air Force. British contract officers also serve with the Army, Air Force and Navy of the Sultanate. They take part in operations wherever they are required in the Sultanate, including operations against a rebellion in part of the South-Western province of Dhofar. There are no Britons fighting on the territory of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Baroness, as always, for her Answer. Would she confirm the statement of the Foreign Office that seven British soldiers have been killed in these operations? While recognising that the new young ruler of Oman is more democratic, why should we be intervening in a civil war in support of a feudal régime?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELVELVIEMy Lords, I regret to say that three British seconded officers have been killed, three British contract officers and four members of a special air services training team. When we second personnel to the Sultan of Oman it is entirely his responsibility as to where they are used. In this case there was a rebellion within the borders.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, am I to take it from the reply of the noble Baroness that where we second officers and personnel we have no control over the way in which they are used? Is that the construction that we must put on the answer of the noble Baroness?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, the primary 12 responsibility in putting down the rebellion is with the forces of the Sultanate; but we have an arrangement whereby consultation takes place concerning the employment of our personnel where it is feasible in the circumstances.
§ Lord SHEPHERDMy Lords, if we are to provide these services, would the Government look at the question of whether they should be given by contract officers and not by seconded officers?
§ Baroness TWEEDSMUIR of BELHELVIEMy Lords, the noble Lord is perfectly correct, that where contract officers are concerned they are entirely the responsibility of the Sultanate. We try to ensure that, so far as seconded officers are concerned, where possible they are not used in circumstances which would be difficult for Britain.
§ LORD BOOTHBYMy Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness whether these men are seconded with their own consent, or at their own request?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, they are certainly seconded with their own consent.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness whether it is the case that the Government of South Yemen have now raised this matter in the Security Council of the United Nations and made the charge that British pilots have led attacks on its territory, and that a British naval force landed on the island of Socotra? Can the noble Baroness at least repudiate the latter suggestion?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, so far as I am aware I can repudiate that latter suggestion.
§ LORD HARVEY OF PRESTBURYMy Lords, can my noble friend say whether compensation and pension arrangements have been satisfactorily made, or are being made, for the widows or relatives?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, yes, so far as I am aware. I do not have the details with me, but I will write to my noble friend in answer.