HL Deb 12 March 1980 vol 406 cc1070-1
The Earl of SELKIRK

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 whether Tanzanian troops are stationed in the Seychelles or anywhere else outside their territory.

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, there is a small detachment of Tanzanian troops in the Seychelles and a substantial Tanzanian force in Uganda.

The Earl of SELKIRK

My Lords, does that indicate some relationship between the Seychelles and Tanzania of a commercial or political character?

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, I believe that the Seychelles Government do admire the Tanzanian Government.

Lord BARNBY

My Lords, may I ask the Minister whether the troops are in Uganda at the request of the United Nations, or of whom?

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, the Tanzanian troops in Uganda are there by virtue of an agreement between the two governments.

The Earl of KIMBERLEY

My Lords could my noble friend say how long ago the Seychelles asked the Tanzanian troops to go to the Seychelles?

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, the troops in the Seychelles, which are just a few hundred in number, arrived in two parties. The first party I think was in June last year and the second party was in October.

Lord BARNBY

My Lords, could the Minister say who is paying for the Tanzanian troops in Uganda, in view of the fact that we have been giving substantial sums of aid to Tanzania?

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, the responsibility for the costs of the Tanzanian troops of course lies with the Tanzanian Government.