§ Mr. Jacques ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on whether ships, regiments and squadrons which took part in the Gulf campaign will be able to include the campaign in their battle honours.
§ Mr. RifkindHer Majesty the Queen has graciously approved the award of battle honours to ships, regiments and squadrons of the three services which took part in the campaign to liberate Kuwait.
The award of the battle honour "Kuwait 1991" is to be made to those of Her Majesty's ships, Royal Naval air squadrons and Royal fleet auxiliaries which were either actively engaged in operations against Iraqi forces or engaged in logistic support duties in the central and northern Gulf to the west of the meridian 51E at any time between 17 January and 28 February 1991. The ships and naval air squadrons which qualify are as listed.
The theatre honour "Gulf 1991" and battle honours "Wadi Al Batin" and "Western Iraq" have been approved for the Army. Those Army regiments and the Army air corps which took part in the campaign will be entitled to claim these honours in accordance with normal practice in the Army.
The battle honour "Gulf 1991" has been approved for the Royal Air Force. Squadrons which took part in the campaign will be selected by the Air Force Board to receive this honour.
After claims by regiments and the Army Air Corps have been considered by the Army Board, and Royal Air Force squadrons have been selected by the Air Force Board, recommendations will be submitted to Her Majesty the Queen for approval. I am therefore not able at this stage to list the regiments and squadrons that will be honoured, but these will be reported to the House in due course.
Her Majesty's Ships, Naval Air Squadrons and Royal Fleet Auxiliaries to receive the battle honour "Kuwait 1991" Her Majesty's Ships HMS Atherstone HMS Gloucester HMS Brave HMS Hecla HMS Brazen HMS Herald HMS Brilliant HMS Hurworth HMS Cardiff HMS Ledbury HMS Cattistock HMS London HMS Dulverton HMS Manchester HMS Exeter Royal Navy Air Squadrons 815 845 826 846 829 848 Royal Fleet Auxiliaries RFA Argus RFA Resource RFA Bayleaf RFA Sir Bedivere RFA Diligence RFA Sir Galahad RFA Fort Grange RFA Sir Percivale RFA Olna RFA Sir Tristram