HL Deb 15 February 1973 vol 338 cc1679-80
LORD BROCKWAY

My 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 what British troops have been seconded to the Government of Oman, and what casualties have occurred among them during the last twelve months.

THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)

My Lords, 117 British loan service personnel are currently seconded to the Government of Oman. I regret that one loan service officer has been killed and four wounded since January 1972.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, would the noble Baroness explain how it is that British troops are involved here? Oman is the only part of the world, except tragic Northern Ireland, in which British troops are involved in a conflict. Have we not withdrawn from the Gulf, and are we not intervening in an internal conflict?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

No, my Lords. It is established policy to loan personnel to certain Governments for service with their forces under an exchange of letters of 1958, and we have agreed to loan personnel to the Sultanate and to assist in the training of its forces.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, is not a new situation now developing in Southern Arabia, with discussions between North and South Yemen towards a union? Does this not make an oportunity for a more peaceful approach than has been pursued so far?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, these men are required to carry out a wide range of duties, including operations against Communist supported rebels in Dhofar Province. While I should agree that one would like to see peace in that area, the rebels obtain supplies, support and shelter in the neighbouring State of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen.

LORD HARVEY OF PRESTBURY

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that some of the officers and men that I met on a recent visit are extremely happy in the duties that they are carrying out, and the local Governments are very pleased to have them? If the Administration of the day had not gone back on their undertaking four years ago the situation would have been even better to-day.

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, I thank my noble friend. These men are all volunteers, of course.

LORD BOURNE

My Lords, I hope the noble Baroness can assure us that this policy is unlikely to change.

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, it is not likely to change at present.

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