HC Deb 04 May 1993 vol 224 c18W
Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 April,Official Report, column 242, whether the United Nations has agreed to reimburse all the costs of British Forces in Bosnia, including the national support element; what will be the basis of calculation for charging the costs; whether British forces in Bosnia will be obliged to seek United Nations sanction for replacement items of equipment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The United Nations will reimburse costs for all British forces in Bosnia in accordance with established rules, in so far as contributions from member states allow. Our charges are calculated on an extra cost basis. From 1 April, the United Nations assumed responsibility for deciding operational requirements. Payments for any equipment replaced by the British forces will be made only with the prior agreement of the United Nations.

Mr. Marlow

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions are given to commanding officers in Bosnia with regard to contacts with the press.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Written guidelines are given to commanding officers in Bosnia. These guidelines are structured to help commanding officers, most of whom have no experience of the media or press, on how best to deal with press inquiries. These guidelines supplement those issued by the United Nations, which has overall responsibility for relations between the United Nations protection force in the former Yugoslavia and the media.

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