§ Mr. Liptonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the 670 British nationals in Saudi Arabia now servicing aircraft of the Royal Saudi Air Force are Service men and civilians, respectively; who is paying their wages; and what is the total amount of such wages.
§ Lord BalnielA small number of British Service men are currently assisting with the scheme in Saudi Arabia. Some 40 of these are at present engaged in helping to service the aircraft. It is planned that this number should be decreased as more civilians become available.
The total cost for the Service men involved is covered by financial arrangements between Her Majesty's Government and the Saudi Arabian Government. In accordance with normal practice, I cannot reveal the details of this agreement, but I can assure the hon. Member that we are fully reimbursed.