§ Mr. ElletsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 9 July,Official Report, column 317, what steps his Department plans to take to recover the additional costs incurred as a result of United Nations Security Council resolution 816; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyI refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (M r. Hamilton) gave to the hon. Member for East Lothian (M r. Home Robertson) on 21 May,Official Report, column 348.
§ Mr. ElletsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency plans have been made to ensure the safety of British forces in the event of the continuing use of noxious gas by Muslim forces in central Bosnia; how far British forces were from the villages of Busovaca arid Prosje when last week's alleged attacks by Muslims against Croats took place; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyProtective equipment and clothing are available to all British Army personnel wherever they deploy worldwide. The threats in a specific deployment area are kept under constant review and plans made accordingly. Busovaca and Prosje are within the British battalion's operating area and are often transited by United Nations personnel. We are not aware of any incident involving the use of noxious gas, although we are aware of an incident where a Bosnian-Croat soldier was treated, at a hospital in Novi Bila, for suspected gas poisoning. Following investigation at the alleged scene by the 1st Battalion, Prince of Wales Own Regiment, however, no trace of use of noxious gas was found.