§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens are currently known to be actively involved in foreign conflicts as mercenaries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThere are no figures available for the numbers of British citizens involved in foreign conflicts as mercenaries. The Government have no control over private citizens going overseas. The recruitment of mercenaries in this country is in some cases unlawful. If any evidence came to light that British citizens recruited as mercenaries were engaged in illegal activities, that evidence would be referred to the relevant authorities.