§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people from the Paisley, South constituency are currently on military service in the Gulf or engaged in support services in this country.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe information requested could not he provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. SillarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Government's war aims encompass the bombing of any non-Iraqi vehicles on the main Iraq-Jordan highway; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonNo. The Government's objectives are those set out in the United Nations Security Council resolutions. The allied intention is to implement these resolutions in the shortest possible time with the minimum casualties. Allied pilots have instructions only to attack military targets which could pose a threat to allied forces or facilities which are supporting Iraq's occupation of Kuwait.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received about the delay experienced by Mrs. Joan Webb of Leicester in communicating with her son Colin Webb of the Signals Regiment at BFPO 649; what is the length of time now taken to transmit mail to services personnel in the Gulf; and what further measures he is taking to improve the situation.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe hon. Gentleman has been in contact with my office about a delay experienced by Mrs. Joan Wells in communicating with her son in the Gulf. The matter is being investigated, and I will write to the hon. Gentleman shortly.
In general, the transmit time to the Gulf for letters is around five days, and ten days for parcels. These timings may be exceeded for troops in forward positions.
595WTransit times are monitored regularly and every effort is made to achieve the earliest possible delivery.