HC Deb 12 April 1994 vol 241 cc139-40W
18. Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received about the role of British forces in Bosnia.

Mr. Hanley

My right hon. and learned Friend and I continue to receive a wide range of representations from a variety of sources on this subject.

19. Mr. Mullin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with General Sir Michael Rose regarding the situation in Bosnia; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

During his visit to Bosnia last month, my right hon. and learned Friend met Lieutenant General Sir Michael Rose and was fully briefed on the situation in Bosnia, and again subsequently. The achievements of the United Nations and General Rose in securing a ceasefire in Sarajevo for the first time in two years, and the subsequent ceasefire in central Bosnia, are to be highly commended.

20. Sir Fergus Montgomery

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next expects to visit Bosnia to discuss the need for the deployment of further forces.

Mr. Hanley

My right hon. and learned Friend announced the deployment of a further 900 troops to Bosnia in his statement to the House on 10 March,Official Report, column 397. He has since visited the former Yugoslavia and had discussions with United Nations commanders there about a variety of issues, including troop deployments.

Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops and backup forces are currently involved in the United Nations operation in Bosnia; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

There are currently some 3,300 British service men deployed on the ground in the former Yugoslavia, with a further 3,000 based offshore and in Italy, engaged in operations in support of UN Security Council resolutions. The additional cost of their deployment is estimated to be around £125,000,000 for the financial year 1994–95, some of which is recoverable from the UN.